Elvera Salisbury

Elvera Lucille Salisbury, 102, died peacefully during her afternoon nap on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at the IOOF Home, Mason City.

Elvera was born January 1, 1922, in Kelley, Iowa, the daughter of Olga (Helland) and Herman Holland. She graduated from Kelley Consolidated High School and attended UNI (Cedar Falls Iowa State Teachers College) graduating in 1942 with a two-year teaching certificate. She later attended Drake University earning her four-year degree.

She married Winfred Salisbury on April 3, 1943 and to this union a daughter was born.

Elvera was a dedicated elementary school teacher who had a great love of teaching and helped to shape hundreds of lives.  She always enjoyed hearing from or reading about her former students as they moved on with their lives. Many students remember Mrs. Salisbury as their beloved favorite teacher and thank her to this day. She began her teaching career at LaMoille, Iowa, where she also coached girls basketball. Her teaching journey continued to one room rural schools including Sac County, Burchinal, Mt. Vernon #2 and Lake Township Cerro Gordo County. The last 29 years of teaching were with the Clear Lake elementary schools.  She was proud to be the first married female teacher to be hired by the district. She retired in 1985 after teaching a total of 37 years.

Elvera was a lifetime member of NEA and ISEA, education organizations. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and enjoyed the fellowship and making quilts with the quilters group. She was an avid fan of basketball, birdwatching and loved to play card games including 500 and Hand & Foot.

Left to cherish her memory are daughter Monica Fredericks of Clear Lake; grandchildren Michell (Barb) Fredericks of Tucson AZ, Marty (Ann) Fredericks of West Des Moines; great- granddaughters Ava and Emily, along with her nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Winfred; stillborn son; son-in-law Dr. Michael Fredericks; and her sister Miriam Jodan.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. If you choose to give a memorial contribution, please consider donating to Central Gardens of Clear Lake or a memorial of your choice in Elvera’s memory.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the staff at the IOOF Home, for their loving care and compassion provided to Elvera.

A loyal friend for those who were blessed to know her and to have her as a teacher, she will be deeply missed.  “The influence of a good teacher can never be erased!”

Ward Van Slyke is in charge of arrangements.