Gwendolyn M Cresap

Gwendolyn Cresap, 92, of Sioux City, passed away as Jesus embraced our mother and took her to heaven Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, at her residence with family by her bedside.
Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. John Pehrson officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 to 7 p.m. today, with the family present 5 to 7 p.m. and a prayer service at 5 p.m., at the funeral home.
Gwen was born on Dec. 29, 1922, at the family home in Centerville, S.D., daughter of Walfred and Helen (Anderson) Nelson. She attended Komstad Country School and Centerville High School, graduating in 1940. Gwen lived with her grandparents while attending school; otherwise, she was with her parents on the family farm. She moved to Sioux City in 1940 and attended Tri-State College of Commerce (Business College) for 13 months. She worked for her room and board in Sioux City.
Gwen married Alfred Steadman Cresap on Oct. 17, 1947. She worked at Sioux City Tent and Awning as a bookkeeper for four years, State Auto Insurance at the Sioux City Stockyards for two years, Satrang and Wilhelm’s Allergy Clinic for one year until they closed, Sioux City Mosaic Co. for four years, then Sioux City Optometric Center for 25 years. She retired, but missed being with the public and worked three part-time jobs, Teen Learning Center, Overhead Door Co., and Christy-Smith Funeral Homes. Eventually she let go of the jobs one by one. Gwen worked until she was 83 years of age.
Gwen was a member of American Business Women's Association, Sioux City Women's Club, Girls of 68, Fortnightly 500 Club, Morningside Library Golden Age Card Club, a knitting club, two Red Hat groups, VASA and Credit Women.
Gwen was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She was an elder, helped with bake sales, cookie walks, Bible school, and was in the Ruth Circle. She enjoyed being among the public, going out to eat, playing cards and other games, getting together with friends and going for rides.
Gwen is survived by three children, Cheryl Hathaway of Jefferson, S.D., Sharon Wilde of Sioux City, and Scott (Lisa) Cresap of Tigard, Ore.; nine grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Alfred.
A special thank-you to Hospice, Veronica, Carrie, Doris, Deb and other volunteers. Also a thank-you to Meals on Wheels and an extended thank-you to Pat.