Delores Arlene Tate's Obituary
Delores Arlene Tate, of Clinton, IA departed from this world in the early morning hours of October 31, 2021 with her nurse, housekeeper, major-domo, and devoted, loving daughter Sue at her bedside.
On June 25, 1926, with the aid of her Grandma Dasher who acted as midwife, Delores arrived in this world in a rented farmhouse located a few miles from Anita, Iowa. Delores would be the first of five children born to Waldo Herkelman and Mildred (Dasher) Herkelman. Within a few years after her birth, the U.S. faced what would be a decade-long tragedy that resulted in millions losing their life savings and livelihoods. Delores and her family were not spared. Therefore, in search of new employment Waldo and his family moved frequently. Before she graduated from high school, Delores lived in eight different residences throughout western Iowa.
During the Depression years, there was little money available for consumer purchases. Apart from a few staples that were bought at a local grocery, as a child all of the food that Delores would eat was raised or reared by her family, and most of her toys and clothes were homemade.
From grades 1-5 Delores attended a one room schoolhouse, where a single teacher taught children in grades 1-8. When the weather was mild, she walked the one-mile distance across a pasture that separated her home and school. During the winter months, and other times of inclement weather, her dad would transport Delores across the pasture by horse-drawn sled or wagon. At age 14 Delores was attending school in Menlo, Iowa. During that year she met a boy named Russell (Russ) Tate whom she would eventually marry. Like Delores, Russell had also moved frequently during the Depression, and she could easily sympathize with the challenges that Russell faced in having to adjust to a new school environment. Their friendship eventually led to a deeper attachment, and on their first date Russ told Delores that he would some day buy her the “prettiest ring”, and he did, although the bestowing of the ring would face some delays.
Delores graduated from Menlo High School in 1943, with 25 other students in her graduation class, including Russell. She continued her schooling at Iowa State College (now Iowa State University) and Russell was off to war. After a short time in college, she began teaching at Menlo schools. With Russell’s discharge from the military, he and Delores were wed on May 19, 1946.
Soon after their marriage Delores and Russ moved to eastern Iowa, and began a family. Later, when her four children were older, Delores resumed her college education at both Mount Saint Clare and then MaryCrest, and began teaching in the Clinton Community School District. She retired after having taught in Clinton for 24 years, at Irving, Longfellow, Sabin, and Gateway Elementary Schools.
Delores’ retirement was one of the saddest and most difficult experiences of her life. As far back as Delores can remember, she had always wanted to be a teacher. She loved teaching! It was her therapy during times of trial and hardship, and no matter what problem she was facing, the moment she started her school day, her worries and concerns would be diminished. Some of her students are now in their 70’s, and despite the decades that have passed, they still fondly remember Mrs. Tate as one of their most beloved teachers.
After her retirement, when not traveling, Delores and Russ spent their winters in Kingsland, TX and summers in Gunnison, CO, but her longing to be with family never subsided. She recently recalled that the most joyous years of her life were spent with her children in Clinton. Therefore, a few years after Russell’s death in 2010, with the assistance and continued support of her daughter Sue, she was able to return to live in the Clinton area, where three of her four children reside. With her daughters Sue and Jacque as companions, Delores continued to indulge her love of travel, visiting places such as the Mediterranean, the Panama Canal, the Canadian Rockies, Hawaii and Alaska. She was always looking forward to her next adventure.
At one time the term “Iowa Nice” was an expression used to describe a common characteristic of the state’s citizens. Delores was the epitome of “Iowa Nice”. She was always very appreciative of any small good fortune or gesture of kindness. During the Depression, with so many rural families living as her family lived, she never resented, what would now be considered extreme, childhood responsibilities, nor did she think of herself as being unusually poor. In fact, Delores had predominantly pleasant memories of her childhood. What austerity created in her was a lifetime of thankfulness for all of that she had. Moreover, Delores was always very interested in people. After years of coaxing, at age 89 Delores finally purchased a tablet computer and created her own Facebook account. She became an avid follower of her Facebook friends, frequently sending loving and supportive responses to their posts. During her summers in Gunnison, Colorado, Delores took daily walks in her rural neighborhood. As time passed, the duration of her walks increased as she chatted with people whom she befriended along her walking route. Although she was raised in an environment lacking in racial or social diversity, regardless of one’s ethnicity, social status, financial circumstances, or sexual preference Delores willingly offered a friendship that was courteous, supportive, encouraging and generous.
Delores was preceded in death by her husband, both parents, and one grandson. She is survived by children Jacque Halverson of College Station, TX, Suellen Wilson of Clinton, James (Karen) Tate of Clinton and Kyle (Kevin) King of Camanche, siblings Marilyn Burkheimer, Dwight Herkelman, Carol Van Fosson, and David Herkelman, along with many who call her Grandma, Great Grandma, and Great-Great Grandma. Memorial services are tentatively scheduled for late spring, 2022 in Dexter, IA.
Online condolences may be expressed at snellzornig.com.
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