Elma M. Schiel
April 27, 1934 - April 13, 2015

Elma M. Schiel passed away peacefully the morning of April 13, 2015 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. She was born on April 27, 1934 to Elmer and Wilma Kehrli and grew up on a farm west of Manchester, Iowa. Her early school years were spent at the Rocky Ridge one-room school. When that school closed, she completed her elementary and secondary school education in the Manchester public schools, graduating valedictorian of her class in 1951.

Elma received a scholarship to Coe College in Cedar Rapids, where she completed two years before becoming engaged and transferring to Gates Business School in Waterloo. On November 29, 1953, Elma married Harold Schiel and they relocated to Ames, where she commenced work in the office of the Dean of the Junior College at Iowa State University. Elma worked at ISU for several years before starting a family. She returned to work at ISU in the mid-1970s, moving shortly thereafter to the President's Office, from which she retired in 1997.

Elma participated in many different activities, but especially enjoyed being an active member of Collegiate Presbyterian Church and PEO. Her wide-ranging interests included social and community service, politics, education, the arts and, particularly, reading and travel.

Elma was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers. She is survived by brothers Wilbur and Larry, husband Harold, daughters Deb Schiel-Larson (Paul) of Indianola and Marty Schiel (Steve Monagle) of Melbourne, Australia and grandchildren Anna Larson and Kevin Larson.

A memorial service for Elma will be held at Collegiate Presbyterian Church in Ames at 2pm on April 25, 2015. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Collegiate Presbyterian Church (Elma Schiel memorial), Ames Emergency Residence Project or Planned Parenthood of the Heartland.