Avelda M. J. (Hankemeier) Bahr, 97, of Andrew, Iowa, passed away March 6, 2026, at UnityPoint Finley Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa, surrounded by her family.

A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 11 A.M., Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Salem Lutheran Church in Andrew, Iowa.  Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 9:30 A.M. at the church.  Burial will be at the Andrew, Iowa Cemetery.  The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family.

Avelda Marie Jane was born on February 24, 1929 in rural Andrew, Iowa to August and Luella (Felderman) Hankemeier.  She was baptized, confirmed and married at Salem Lutheran Church in Andrew and was a 1946 graduate of Andrew High School.  Avelda met her husband Ray when they agreed to go on a blind date with a mutual friend and pastor, Reverend Lavern Meinecke.  Ray and Avelda were married on September 20, 1948.  Ray preceded her in death on January 4, 2022.

Avelda farmed alongside her husband Ray starting on a farm west of Spragueville.  This is where Patricia and Duane were born.  In 1956, they purchased a farm north of Andrew in Cottonville, where Galen and Joann joined the family.  In 1987 they moved from the farm to Andrew.

Before she was married Avelda worked for a short time in Maquoketa making fishing lures. She also helped a rural family by watching their children. When not helping on the farm Avelda kept busy growing a large garden and preserving much of what was grown to feed the family. She raised chickens for both the eggs and the meat. Avelda was an excellent baker, baking bread and cinnamon rolls every Saturday morning. She was also known for making a great apple pie. Avelda was happy to be a true Farmer’s Wife, helping her husband on the farm, keeping the house and raising their family. She could sew to make clothes, but her true talent was patching jeans. When someone learned she could patch jeans and would ask her to patch their jeans, she couldn’t say no, 🙂  Avelda was a fan of lowa Hawkeye basketball her whole life. In her later years she enjoyed being involved with the Andrew Petal Pals Club, exhibiting flowers and working at the Jackson County fair.  Avelda also had an interest in genealogy and spent time volunteering for the Jackson County Genealogical Chapter. Mostly her faith, gentle personality and steady presence were a blessing to all who knew her.

Those left to honor her memory include her son-in-law Milton Cornelius, children Duane (Diane) Bahr, and Joann (Craig) Sieverding. Nine grandchildren, Philip Cornelius and Vicky, Nathan (Kristin) Cornelius, Noah (Danielle) Cornelius, Christina (John) Schneider, Carrie (Sean) Petesch, Aaron (Tasha) Bahr, Tyler (Kelli) Sieverding, Emily (Chad) Feller, and Alex (Miranda) Sieverding; 22 great grandchildren + 1 coming soon; 1 great-great grandchild; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, daughter Patricia, son Galen, brothers Albert (Theresa Elsner) Hankemeier and Ardo (Doris Thilmony, Marie Wiegert) Hankemeier, In-laws Gladys (Leon Schnoor, Joe Derganz) Derganz and LaVern (Phyllis Enwright, Gloria McCutcheon) Bahr.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff of Mill Valley Care Center and Finley Hospital for their professional care given to Mom.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, an Avelda MJ. Bahr memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.