Vesta Opal (WARDRIP) SHAHA

WARDRIP, MARSH, SHAHA, DEIBERT, HARTSCHEN, EVERSON, SMITH, HIGGINS, DRISCOLL, GNAT

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/9/2009 at 01:26:26

VESTA OPAL (WARDRIP) SHAHA

Vesta Opal SHAHA was born August 19, 1925 to Clarence and Mae (MARSH) WARDRIP near Delphos, IA. She passed away April 12, 2008 at her home in Mount Ayr at the age of 82 years, 7 months, and 24 days.

Vesta went to schools at Delphos and Benton, graduating Salutatorian in 1942. After going to school, she worked at the Mount Ayr Bank. On February 14, 1945, Vesta married Rex SHAHA in Troy, Kansas. They lived at the Joseph SHAHA home place 14 months, and then moved April 1947 to the present farmstead. With her lifelong partner, Rex, they farmed southeast of Mt. Ayr and ran a bulldozing and scraper business (Shaha Construction) for over 40 years. Vesta faithfully took care of her father-in-law, Jody SHAHA, for 13 years. Also, she helped nurse her sister, Viola, back to health several times after being hospitalized. Vesta worked at the Ringgold County Hospital 27 years, Green Thumb coordinator, Mount Ayr Community School, and was presently employed at the Mount Ayr Chamber of Commerce. Vesta moved into Mount Ayr in 1996. Vesta’s favorite hobbies included going to dances, playing the piano, playing cards, going to neighborhood club meetings, traveling with the Land Improvement Contractors Association., and visiting friends and relatives.

Vesta was a loving housewife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her greatest joy was being around her family and friends. Two sons were born; Kyle Rex on July 10, 1950 and Kurtis Linn on December 24, 1956 and later two grandchildren came along, Krista and Travis. The family will remember all the family holiday celebrations. Many good memories were made and will leave an empty place that will never be filled. She had a caring personality and never knew a stranger. Vesta was a member of the First Christian Church in Mount Ayr, Rebekah Lodge in Mount Ayr, Past Noble Grand Assn., Order of the Eastern Star, Ringgold County Hospital Auxiliary, and board member of Manor Home, Red Hat Ladies, Extension Council and several neighborhood clubs.

Vesta was preceded in death by her loving husband Rex; parents; sisters Viola DEIBERT and Vera HARTSCHEN; sister-in-law Shirley EVERSON; brothers-in-law Arthur DEIBERT, Murray SHAHA, Oscar HARTSCHEN, Ernie SHAHA, Carroll SMITH, Lloyd EVERSON, and Frank HIGGINS; and father-in-law Joseph SHAHA.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons Kyle & wife Pamela and Kurt & wife Wendy; granddaughter Krista & husband Joe DRISCOLL; grandson Travis & wife Judi SHAHA; four great-grandsons Kyle & Konnor DRISCOLL and Bryce & Brock SHAHA. She is also survived by one sister Vergene HIGGINS; sister-in-law Georgia SHAHA; brother and sister-in-law Cecil & Nana GNAT; brother-in-law George EVERSON; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. She will be greatly missed by her family.

Services were held Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. from First Christian Church of Mount Ayr, Iowa.

www.funeralplan2.com/watsonarmstrongfh/archive?id=129239