Susie Boot January 16, 1906 - April 5, 2006

Video Tribute

Susie Boot
Pella, Iowa
(Age 100)

DIED
April 5, 2006
Pella, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICES
10:00 A.M., Saturday, April 8, 2006
First Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION
After 4:00 P.M. Friday, April 7, 2006
Family will be present 5:00 - 7:00 P.M., Friday
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS
MEMORIALS MAY BE GIVEN TO:
Susie Boot Memorial Fund

Susie (Zwank) Boot
Susie (Zwank) Boot was born January 16, 1906, on a farm north of Pella in the area known as Sandridge. She was the daughter of Jacob and Nellie (Vos) Zwank and the last of eight children.

On December 24, 1929, she was united in marriage to Armour Boot by the Reverend Bernie Mulder at the Pella First Reformed Church parsonage. At the time of Armor's death on February 15, 1984, they had been married fifty-five years.

On June 8, 1931, their daughter, Nola Ruth, was born at Mercy Hospital in Oskaloosa. Her arrival caused discussion among family and neighbors as she was the first to not arrive by home delivery. Near birthing time Armour's big concern was weather. Every evening he would place chains on the car tires should rain occur as roads were still mud, not graveled.

They lived on the Boot family farm south of Sully near the Marion-Jasper County line until March, 1939, when they moved to what was then the outskirts of Pella. The home was accessible by a block-long graveled lane, pasture to the west, and a neighbor's alfalfa field to the east. This home in which she lived for sixty-four years is now in the middle of town.

Her education was through eighth grade in the rural Sandridge school. If the school were still there, it's location would be on the northeast corner of 248th Avenue and Blue Street.

She recently shared her school days with two Jefferson School kindergarten classes. Her round enamel lunch bucket, which basically would hold a sandwich, was shown to them. Some of the memories shared were:

• Walking one and one-half miles to and from school;
• Getting the school drinking water at the nearby neighbor's, as the school's well water was not usable, and in the fall having the luxury of snitching an apple from a nearby tree;
• Growing up when there seemed to be more snow, and she recalled walking to school across fences on top of a hard curst;
• Another winter memory was the rare occasion of being taken to school by bobsled and the ringing of the sleigh bells on the horses;
• There was one teacher for all eight grades and primary;
• Boys were needed for harvest in the fall and planting in the spring and could only attend school during the winter at which time enrollment would increase to between fifty and sixty students;
• Books were scarce and slates were used;
• Everyone used one wash pan to clean their hands and then wiped them dry on a nearby cloth towel;
• Toilet facilities were an outhouse for girls and another for boys which contained catalogs as there was no toilet tissue'
• Warmth came from a stove in the middle of the room. In winter wet mittens and clothing were placed by it to dry, emitting a foul odor;
• The teacher's desk was on a raised platform and this platform became the staging area for school programs;
• Games were many including annie-annie-over, fox and geese in winter, ball games, races and quiet play times when girls perhaps brought their dolls;
• Also recalled were gypsies who camped on the grounds for one or two weeks.

Susie was a faithful life-long member of Pella First Reformed Church. Her membership remained here though, in early marriage years, she was active in the Bethany Reformed Church located near her rural Sully home. Bethany Willing Workers was a mission oriented group which she faithfully attended. When the church was disbanded this group continued to meet monthly for many years for study and fellowship.
She was a devoted mother, an active farm wife who assisted with all farm chores from chickens to milking, and an excellent cook. She enjoyed preparing wholesome tasteful meals for family and friends. Summers found visiting nieces and nephews. Nola didn't lack for company.

Susie liked to entertain. It was a time to get out the best china and silver. Special groups included two card clubs (one a family potluck group) and a soup supper neighborhood group which brought pleasure. She was the last surviving member of these groups whose friendships she relished.

Prior to marriage Susie had worked in the Wilson family home. Knowing she was again nearby she started her jewelry store employment in 1945 when hired to do general cleaning at Wilson Jewelry. This part-time beginning gradually became full-time employment. Ownership of this store changed through the years but her employment continued, though on a very limited basis at the end when she retired at age ninety-seven in July, 2003. A fellow employee, Kathy Van Veen, and she bonded and shared a tender loving relationship not only for the enjoyed work but for each other.

A special life's highlight was attending the many political functions with Armour when, following duties as a City Councilman, he was elected to represent Iowa and Marion County as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives in 1965-66.

Her knee deterioration was painful and affected her former quick stepping physical stature. In spite of pain, one basically did not hear her complain. Hearing loss was a frustration. She was always grateful for eye sight allowing her to read. People were her pleasure. She loved everyone and was especially grateful to friends who took her out to eat, meetings and to church. The kindness and warmth from those in her church circle and Chapter NDE, P.E.O. sisters she cherished.

On April 5, 2006, she passed way at the Pella Comfort House at the age of 100 years. Among those who will cherish her memory are her daughter: Nola Vander Streek of Pella; her two grandchildren and their spouses: Ann and Thomas Summitt and Paul and Janice (Melvin) Vander Streek all of Pella; and four great-grandchildren: Nathaniel and Elizabeth Summitt and Louis and Bret Vander Streek.

Susie was preceded in death by her husband, Armour, in 1984; her parents; three brothers: Bennie, Herman and Peter J. Zwank; four sisters: Annie, who died in infancy, Johanna at age three, Hattie Vos and Nettie Geurts; and son-in-law: Lloyd Vander Streek.