1922
Delpha
2009
Delpha Wood
March 10, 1922 — May 4, 2009
Delpha Louise Wood, 87, died of congestive heart failure May 4, 2009, at Dove Healthcare in Eau Claire, Wis. Born March 10, 1922, in Eldora, Iowa, to John and Louise Graham, she was raised on the family farm located south of Eldora. Delpha was extremely close to her mother and brother after the premature loss of her father in her pre-teens. She developed many school and community friendships that were maintained throughout life, and her roots in the community were deep.
Delpha graduated from Eldora High School in 1940 and then attended Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls where she received her teacher’s certificate. Her first job was at rural school Mason Number 6 where she taught a small group of young neighborhood farm kids who had “run off” the prior year’s teacher.
Delpha first noticed Robert at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines where Delpha exhibited Oxford sheep and Robert showed hogs. After several years of dating, including weekly Sunday trips to deliver a homesick Delpha to college in Cedar Falls, they were married June 14, 1945, in the Congregational Church in Eldora. Delpha and Robert began their marriage farming south of Iowa Falls, and Delpha drove her Chevy Coup with a rumble seat to her new job teaching five local children at Cleves Number 5 near Steamboat Rock. Delpha was proud that many of her country school students went on to college and various good endeavors in life.
Delpha and Robert moved to what became the Wood family farm located near Whitten. Delpha taught various elementary grades at Whitten Community School.
Their first child, Roger, was born in 1955 and died shortly after birth. Ann arrived in 1961 and David in 1963. Delpha was a devoted mother who put the welfare of her children before everything else. Ann and David always knew they were loved.
In 1969, Delpha returned to the now merged Union-Whitten Community School to serve as a special needs reading teacher. Always helping those most in need, many students read their first words under Delpha’s guidance and encouragement.
In the late 1980s Delpha retired after 33 years of service in the Whitten or Union-Whitten Community School systems. She then became a nurse’s aid at Valley View Nursing Home in Eldora, bringing comfort and peace to many residents until her retirement in 2003.
Delpha moved to Oak Estates Assisted Living in Conrad in July 2007. She appreciated the beautiful apartment and friendship with fellow residents and particularly appreciated the helpful and friendly staff.
Delpha is survived by her husband, Robert, who resides at Dove Healthcare in Eau Claire, Wis.; a daughter, Ann Wood (Dean Lucker) of St. Paul, Minn.; and a son David (Rebecca), and their children Joshua and Elena, all of Eau Claire. Delpha was preceded in death by her brother, John, sister-in-law, Helen Graham, and many dear friends.
Visitation will be Friday, May 8, from 4-7 p.m. at Creps-Abels Funeral Home, 905 Edgington, Eldora. The funeral service will be Saturday, May 9, at 2 p.m. at Community Church of Union, Pastor Rick Schill officiating. Internment will follow at the Eldora City Cemetery. Please join us in celebrating the life of this person who touched so many lives.
Delpha will be remembered as a caring and committed mother, spouse, friend, daughter, grandmother, sister, teacher and caregiver. We will miss her very much.
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