Obituary of Iola R. Riedesel

WESTFIELD - Iola M. Riedesel, 94, of Westfield, NY, passed away Saturday, July 30, 2016, surrounded by her children and one grandchild. Iola was born April 25, 1922 in Oil City, PA to the late Harold and Pauline (Steiner) Reynolds. As a young girl during the Depression, her family moved to a farm in Westfield, NY. She attended a one-room country schoolhouse, and then graduated from Westfield High School in 1940. She attended Jamestown Business College, leaving to work at a local bank and a Westfield car dealership during World War II. Iola married Walter G. Riedesel on December 24, 1945, shortly after he returned from service in World War II. After her marriage, she devoted her time to raising a family and being a major partner on a grape farm. On the farm, she handled all of the finances and supervised the work crews, then found time to manage the household consisting of three children. She was very active in the school doings of her children and grandchildren. She was a founding member in the formation of the NYS Women for the Survival of Agriculture, and served as the first woman delegate for National Grape Co-op (Welch's). While Iola was a good mother to her children, she was an even better grandmother. She instilled in them a love of games and puzzles, reading, baking, candy-making, travel and tea parties. All have received hand-stitched items reflecting her artistic side. She was always prepared for cross-country travel opportunities with her family. During their retirement, she spent 25 years of wintering in Sebring, FL with Walter. Iola is survived by her three children; George (Tracy) Riedesel of Millcreek Twp., PA, Marian (Norman) Allen of Erie, PA and Donna Riedesel of Westfield, NY. She is also survived by her five grandchildren; Dr. Jeremy Riedesel of Westfield, NY, Christopher Riedesel of Burbank, CA, Jennifer Allen (John Streeter) of Portland, OR, Valerie Allen of Elizabeth City, NC and Jacob (Samantha) Allen of Erie, PA and three great-grand- daughters; Abigail Luella Allen of Portland, OR, and Julia and Kathryn Allen of Erie, PA. She is further survived by her two sisters; Luella Reynolds of Fredonia, NY and Judy Womeldorf of Westfield, NY, one niece; Sandy (David) Haskin of Westfield, NY and one sister-in-law, Ann Morehouse of Orlando, FL. She also is survived by many cherished cousins, nieces and nephews. Iola was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Walter G. Riedesel, and her sister, Doris Hayner. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 13th, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church, 49 South Portage St. in Westfield, NY. Memorials may be made to the Patterson Library, 40 South Portage St., the Westfield Fire Dept., 23 Elm St. or the Grape Discovery Center, 8305 West Main Rd., all in Westfield, NY 14787. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Mason Funeral Home, 37 Clinton St., Westfield, NY 14787. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send the Riedesel family messages of sympathy or to light a memorial candle WESTFIELD - Iola M. Riedesel, 94, of Westfield, NY, passed away Saturday, July 30, 2016, surrounded by her children and one grandchild. Iola was born April 25, 1922 in Oil City, PA to the late Harold and Pauline (Steiner) Reynolds. As a young girl during the Depression, her family moved to a farm in Westfield, NY. She attended a one-room country schoolhouse, and then graduated from Westfield High School in 1940. She attended Jamestown Business College, leaving to work at a local bank and a Westfield car dealership during World War II. Iola married Walter G. Riedesel on December 24, 1945, shortly after he returned from service in World War II. After her marriage, she devoted her time to raising a family and being a major partner on a grape farm. On the farm, she handled all of the finances and supervised the work crews, then found time to manage the household consisting of three children. She was very active in the school doings of her children and grandchildren. She was a founding member in the formation of the NYS Women for the Survival of Agriculture, and served as the first woman delegate for National Grape Co-op (Welch's). While Iola was a good mother to her children, she was an even better grandmother. She instilled in them a love of games and puzzles, reading, baking, candy-making, travel and tea parties. All have received hand-stitched items reflecting her artistic side. She was always prepared for cross-country travel opportunities with her family. During their retirement, she spent 25 years of wintering in Sebring, FL with Walter. Iola is survived by her three children; George (Tracy) Riedesel of Millcreek Twp., PA, Marian (Norman) Allen of Erie, PA and Donna Riedesel of Westfield, NY. She is also survived by her five grandchildren; Dr. Jeremy Riedesel of Westfield, NY, Christopher Riedesel of Burbank, CA, Jennifer Allen (John Streeter) of Portland, OR, Valerie Allen of Elizabeth City, NC and Jacob (Samantha) Allen of Erie, PA and three great-grand- daughters; Abigail Luella Allen of Portland, OR, and Julia and Kathryn Allen of Erie, PA. She is further survived by her two sisters; Luella Reynolds of Fredonia, NY and Judy Womeldorf of Westfield, NY, one niece; Sandy (David) Haskin of Westfield, NY and one sister-in-law, Ann Morehouse of Orlando, FL. She also is survived by many cherished cousins, nieces and nephews. Iola was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Walter G. Riedesel, and her sister, Doris Hayner. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 13th, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church, 49 South Portage St. in Westfield, NY. Memorials may be made to the Patterson Library, 40 South Portage St., the Westfield Fire Dept., 23 Elm St. or the Grape Discovery Center, 8305 West Main Rd., all in Westfield, NY 14787. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Mason Funeral Home, 37 Clinton St., Westfield, NY 14787. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send the Riedesel family messages of sympathy or to light a memorial candle