Odelia E. Schrunk, age 91 of Clinton, passed away Sunday, August 20, 2023 at Mercy One Hospital. A Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at Prince of Peace Parish, Clinton. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM until the service time Thursday at the church. Burial will take place at 1:00 PM on Friday, August 25th at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Danbury, Iowa. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Odelia was born in Mapleton, Iowa on December 27, 1931, the daughter of Otto F. and Frances (Sohm) Schrunk. She graduated from Danbury High School and later from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City. Odelia received her Master’s Degree from Western Michigan. Odelia taught mathematics for 42 years, 32 of them with the Clinton Public School system. She retired in 1996. She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish, A.A.U.W. and Delta Kappa Gamma.
Odelia is survived by 4 brothers; Ace (Mary) Schrunk of Missouri Valley, IA, LeRoy (Sally) Schrunk of La Mars, IA, Otto Schrunk of Sioux City, and Bryon (Patti) Schrunk of Tigares, NM; a sister-in-law, Tina Schrunk of Mapleton, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Barb; 3 brothers, John, Bruce, and Charlie; 2 sisters-in-law, Genevieve Schrunk and Kathy Schrunk, and a nephew, Christopher Schrunk. Memorials may be made to Prince of Peace Parish or Mercy Hospice. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.
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She was my calculus teacher at Clinton High. She was lovely and inspiring. She is the one person in my life who told me I could pursue graduate school in math. She was right! I think of her fondly.
Odelia was one of the best teachers I had throughout high school and and 12 years of college education. She was always extremely prepared, devoted to her teaching vocation, and welcomed students to her office before and after school to walk through math problems and concepts that we struggled to comprehend. Some students found her intimidating, but I did not. She had high standards, was always focused and kept a disciplined classroom. I could see that she wanted to help us be as prepared for college as we could be. She also had a great sense of humor, and a smile comes to my face when I recall moments we got her to crack a smile in calculus class. At church, she engaged my parents after my graduation for updates on my life. She always greeted me with a smile when I was home. She was kindhearted and compassionate. She encouraged me by way of postal letters through some highs and lows of my post collegiate career. I am thankful to have known her. May she rest in peace.
I was sorry to hear the news about this wonderful lady and dedicated teacher. Odelia was so kind to me, and I deeply appreciated it. .I was clearly a fish out of water in the math department, but she always made me feel included even though I taught students with special needs.
I, along with many others, had Ms. Schrunk for math. I enjoyed her as a teacher.
To her family, my condolences.
Odelia gave of her time and talents to make the path easier for others. We met through DKG. Her dedication to the society and her ability to make the world a kinder and better place will always be remembered. She will be missed.
Odelia was someone I held in high regard for all of the years I knew her through Delta Kappa Gamma. She was always professional and polite in her relationships with us. She was very capable and did a fine job on whatever was asked of her. She remained active in the state and international levels of our organization for decades. She was a role model for others in Delta Kappa Gamma. It’s sad to realize she is gone, but I have many nice memories of times when she was in our midst. When the chapter in Clinton dissolved, she moved to our Alpha chapter in Davenport. We were so glad to have her!
I was a student of hers 44 short years ago (wow). As difficult as the class was, everybody enjoyed and respected her as a teacher. The class was generally business-like, but there was room for occasional humor. We really enjoyed seeing that side of her. When seeing classmates, she is always remembered fondly and will continue to be at future reunions.
My remembrances of Odelia go back 40 years, when we both attended the DKG Leadership/Management Seminar at Baylor University. I admired her calm manner, her kindness, and her subtle sense of humor. When I became international president 15 years later, I selected Odelia to chair the Constitution Committee because of her knowledge, her work ethic, and her attention to detail. Whatever task she undertook, she completed with excellence. It was always a joy to see her at DKG conventions and conferences. She leaves a powerful legacy in the many people whose lives she touched.
So many memories of Odelia…all of them special. The demanding math teacher whose commitment assured that her students would succeed. The compassionate church member who was instrumental in the implementation of a program for the families of those with memory loss. The caring friend. The bridge partner. She was “good” in a way that set an example for the rest of us. She was more than good; she was the best.
Odelia was a truly holy person. Every thing she did and every person she touched, were better for the experience. They became kinder, more committed, and more organized. The former student who said she was like a nun without the habit, spoke more truth than she knew.
Having been a nun, I constantly felt in awe of her dedication, work ethic, and kindness.
Most of my experiences with her were through Delta Kappa Gamma (Key Women Educators). Several of us traveled to conventions and conferences together. Her organizational and communication skills were always remarkable.
Interactions with Odelia are some of the most memorable of my life. Having her as a dear friend is one of the treasures of my journey.
I know she is enjoying the reward of a life so well lived, but she leaves a huge void in our world.
I was one of those who had the privilege of working with Odelia through Delta Kappa Gamma at the state level. The many comments from others who knew and worked with Odelia are right on target! She contributed so much; it was a blessing to have known her.
Beta Alpha Chapter in Clayton & Allamakee Counties of the Iowa State Organization of Delta Kappa Gamma also sends its sincere condolences in the loss of Odelia. She was an exemplary person in all she did. She was a key woman educator all her life; even in her retirment we witnessed her life-long commitment to education of self and others. Rest in peace Odelia.
*Update, she was 91 when she passed, which means she was younger than I am now when she was my teacher. Dang!*
Just found out from a high school friend that Odelia Shrunk passed away on Sunday.
I remember when Shannon Peterson Aronson and I realized that she was our only option for Algebra II. Back in the day we used to self schedule, and hers was the only class that worked because we were in both band and choir. I remember saying something like, At least we’re in it together.
With the filter of a 16 year old, she looked like a nun without the habit. Even then she seemed old (and unsmiling).
Formidable is the word I used with my friend who told me.
I remember sitting with Shannon near the front of the room. And I also remember when we realized she had a sense of humor. We would tease her a little. We had a song for her (Hear Cecelia by Simon and Garfunkel). Odelia, you’re breaking our hearts. You’re flunking our algebra tests daily… She had a great little smile/smirk.
After 30 years teaching, and I was told that she taught for 42, I guess I have a different filter, now.
I was no mathlete, and she was definitely old school, but the fact that almost 40 years later I still remember her vividly and kindly.
She must have done something right.
Thanks, Odelia. And thanks Maureen Hood Mook for reaching out and letting me know!
Thank you Missy for sharing your memories of Miss Schrunk! They put a big smile on my face! A special hello to you, Maureen and Shannon!
Hi Ms Weiss!
We sang a very similar parody to the Simon and Garfunkel song too! ?
I didn’t realize how good of a teacher Odelia was until I had math classes in college. I was very well prepared. One of my favorite memories from her class room was when she wanted us to graph an equation… She would say “now lets make a geographic interpretation of f(x)…”. I learned a lot from her. She was such a good person. She will be missed.
I had the privilege of working with Odelia for 12 years! She was a wonderful person to work with! She always stressed meeting the needs of the students! She had high expectations but they were all incorporated into her extraordinary compassion and caring for the students! She had a very professional demeanor along with a subtle sense of humor! We’ve lost a super person!
Odelia was an active member of the educational organization, The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, on the chapter, state and international levels for many years. If you needed someone to handle a detailed job, she was the one to contact. Odelia co-wrote a history of the Society and served on the constitution and insurance committees to which she brought her gentle touch and logical thought processes. She is known by many members across the United States and Europe. She will be missed by all.
What a gracious and highly respected leader Odelia was…by her chapter members, our Iowa organization, and many friends at the International level as well. She was indeed a dedicated pillar of our DKG organization, and she will be missed by so many of us who watched in awe as she mastered one project after another with her special grace, expertise, and dedication.
Odelia was a wonderfully kind and gentle person. She was a treasure within DKG—on the international, state, and chapter levels. We will greatly miss her.
Odelia was the kind of teacher you never forget. She pushed her students to excel – and they did! I especially appreciated her subtle sense of humor. She was all business, but that included a deep devotion to her students. I was 100% better prepared for college thanks to her advanced math class.
Odelia will be missed by the many DKG members across the state and internationally that she met and has worked with on projects. I will remember her as a quiet dedicated force in our state organization and as co-author of DKG International’s “Our Heritage Volume 3, The Delta Kappa Gamma” and “Society History 1970–2008.” Her spirit in DKG will remain with us.
Odelia contributed a tremendous amount of her time and talents to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International women’s educational organization. She was a treasured member of the Society. I will miss her counsel.
Odelia was a very kind and sweet lady. She was our neighbor and our friend and we were very fortunate to have such a wonderful person living next to us. We will truly miss her.
She spoke of you often. Said she could not have remained in her beloved home without the help and kindnesses of her neighbors.
Thank you for your caring.
Odelia was respected by all her students. Those who went on to college always said they were so well prepared for their math classes thanks to her preparing them at CHS. She was a loving and faithful servant of the Lord. I am confident that the Lord welcomed her into Heaven with opened arms and said “Job well done “
A servant in every sense of the word -always giving – always there to help her students- her co-workers and obviously then all at her beloved church, Jesus Christ Prince of Peace. Every person whose life she touched was a better person and a kinder person as well!! Sue and I send our sympathy and admiration and love. Sue would say she was AWESOME- her favorite word when someone brought her heart joy!!!
Odelia was “the BEST” department head! She was very fair by making sure all of the math teachers had to teach a low-level math class. (Those classes were difficult – not because of the math being taught but because those classes always had several students that didn’t want to learn.) Odelia was very conscientious in getting all of the math department paperwork done and done by the date due. And, she represented us well at the Dept. Head meetings – always advocating for the math department as a whole and for math teachers individually. In a word, was a conSUMmate professional.
I forgot to include my maiden name. I was Sue Weiss when I taught at Clinton High from 1980 – 1998
And what a strong department it was! I didn’t have the pleasure of having you for math, Sue, just home room. I had Odelia, Norm Vandecamp (two years) and Judy Doughty. They are all some of the best teachers I had throughout all my years of education. All three of them and you have stayed in touch and supported me through the decades since. I’m sharing this because, Odelia lead a department of devoted and compassionate teachers. She left a huge footprint on so many of us. ?
Our Clinton High School students were truly blessed with exceptionally dedicated math teachers.. who served our community for many decades?I thank them too..Odelia was truly special.. may she rest in peace..faithful servant✝️
She was one of the kindest people I’ve met. I had the joy of being her health care provider until my retirement last year. I always enjoyed our conversations and her sense of humor. She lived a long life. So sorry for your loss.