Mildred Virginia (Knopp) Wamberg

Mildred Virginia (Knopp) Wamberg, 97 entered into eternal rest on April 19, 2013 in Glenwood, IA. Mildred was born on May 13, 1915 in Glenwood, IA to Roy C. & Nell (Johnson) Knopp. She was baptized in 1928 at the First Baptist Church in Glenwood. Her dedication to her church included: serving as church organist for 50 years, serving as Sunday School teacher for 48 years, & active membership in the Baptist Evening Guild, the First Baptist Church Board of Education, the Baptist Women’s group & the music committee.

She graduated from Fleming High School in Fleming, CO. Following her high school graduation, she became a teacher in the Raymond, NE rural school system. Mildred received her two-year teaching certificate from Wayne State College, Wayne, NE & earned her Bachelor of Arts/Education Degree & her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

She was united in marriage to Donald E. Wamberg, Sr. on Nov. 13, 1936 in Holdredge, NE & came to Glenwood in 1947. They raised their five children (Susie, Jimmy, Donny, Marty & Steven) on their acreage north of Glenwood. For more than 20 years, Mildred, using the pen name Kay Noel, wrote a weekly column for the Glenwood Opinion Tribune newspaper titled “Cookies and Cameos”, which related the experiences & adventures of her family. She also published two collections of poetry & short stories about her children & grandchildren.

Mildred taught for a total of 23 years & 19 years in the Glenwood Community School System, retiring in 1980. A lifelong resident of Glenwood, she was active in the Glenwood Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she held the Regent’s title for 3 years, the Friends of the Library Club, AWOL Club, National Education Association, Share a Book Club, & formed the Pre-School Mother’s Organization in 1946. In 1990, she was honored by the Glenwood Rotary Club as Citizen of the Month and in 1991, the Glenwood Chamber of Commerce presented her with the Good Neighbor Award.

She resided at Risen Son Christian Village in Council Bluffs from 1996 to 2008 & enjoyed various activities there, serving as pianist/organist for their Sunday services for many years. In 2008, she moved to Glen Haven Home in Glenwood, where she resided prior to her passing.

She is survived by her children, Susie (Pete) Swihart of Glenwood, IA, Don Wamberg of Atlanta, GA, Marty (Hank) Shull of Northwood, IA & Steve (Annie) Wamberg of Colorado Springs, CO, daughter-in-law Kathy Wamberg of Des Moines, IA; 13 grandchildren, Mark (Jane) Konfrst, Diana Konfrst, Brian (Heidi) Konfrst, Tim Konfrst, Rhonda (Mike) Crouse, Jennifer (Doug) Hall, Kristi Wamberg, Megan (Ryan) Rudolph, Andrew (Angeline) Wamberg, Andy (Debbie) Shull, Katy (Eric) Anderson, Ben Wamberg & Maggie Wamberg; 22 great-grandchildren including David, Jonathan & Timothy Konfrst, Rod & Todd Schoening, Shannon Schoening (Aaron Schwarz), Zach McCord, Ashley & Adam Konfrst, Emily Wagaman, Jeremy (Keara) Wamberg, Ashton & Parker Rudolph, Mary Hodges & Francie Wamberg, Michaela, Maxwell and Mikael Anderson & Maria, Ally, Gabi & Christina Shull; 3 great-great grandchildren including Owen & Ethan Schwarz, and Isaac Wamberg; as well as extended family & friends who have fond memories of her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy & Nell (Johnson) Knopp; her husband, Donald E. Wamberg, Sr.; her son, James Wamberg; and her sister & brother-in-law, Marcella & Dennis Collins.

Interment will be held in the Glenwood Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Glenwood Public Library or Glen Haven Home.

Visitation:Monday, April 22, 2013
6:00 PM
212 S. Locust St.
Glenwood, IA51534

Service:Tuesday, April 23, 2013
2:00 PM
212 S. Locust St.
Glenwood, IA51534