Madelyn M. DeAngelo, 95, of Grinnell and former-ly of Toledo, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. Memorial services were held Jan. 21 at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with Pastor Warren Riley officiating. Per Madelyn's wishes, her body has been donated to the University of Iowa to assist them in their research for macular degeneration. Private interment will be held at National Cemetery in rural Vining later.
Madelyn was born June 6, 1921, in Irving, the daughter of Anton and Marie (Benishek) Vobornik. After graduating from high school, she taught in country school in rural Tama County, riding on a horse to get there when the roads were bad. After World War II, she worked for the U.S. Government in Germany in their communications department. She returned to the States, living in California. She was blessed with the birth of her son, Jack (Earl John). They continued to reside in California where she worked as an accountant. In 1964, she got her teaching degree from South Dakota State, Spearfish, SD, and returned to Tama-Toledo where she taught third grade. She retired in 1983 from the school district and then worked at the Toledo Public Library as their "technical specialist" for several years. Macular degeneration robbed her of sight, but that did not taint the fierce independence she had. Her love of reading evolved into her love of listening to books on tape. Many thanks to the Iowa Department for the Blind for the extensive library. Madelyn loved gardening, feeding the birds, traveling, sewing, and playing piano. The loves of her life were her three grandchildren, Devon, Andy, and Stefanie, and her son, Jack. She was beloved by all the students that passed through her classroom doors.
Madelyn lived in Toledo until 2013 when she moved to Grinnell. She was a resident of Saint Francis Manor.
She is survived by her son Jack (Vicki) DeAngelo of Grinnell and her three grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorials may be directed to Community Services of Saint Francis, any animal rescue charity, or St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Tama.
