Obituary of Wilfreda Hieronymus

Wilfreda A. “Freda” Cox Hieronymus, age 86 of 3322 Muscatine Avenue, Iowa City died Sunday, January 2, 2005, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City following a short illness. A Celebration of her Life will be held at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City on Saturday, January 8, 2005 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. On-line condolences may be sent to Freda’s family at www.gayandciha.com. The family would encourage people to recount their experiences with Freda to this website or in letters to the family. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her name to the Red Cross, American Cancer Society and the University of Iowa Museum of Art. Mrs. Hieronymus’ family includes her husband, Albert Hieronymus; five children, Ruth (James) Ottesen of Davenport, William (Antonia) Hieronymus of Wayland, MA, Sally (Bob) Hall, John (Helen) Hieronymus, Peggy and (Jim) Hieronymus-Nunnally all of Iowa City, seventeen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Freda was a remarkable hostess, having entertained guests from all over the world who were associated with her husband’s work as Director of Iowa Basic Skills Testing Program and Professor of Educational Psychology, Statistics and Measurement at the University of Iowa. It was not unusual for her to prepare meals for 50 visitors, and to have open house for large gatherings at her home with no outside help. Many people in Iowa City know of her many business accomplishments, from building the Old Capitol Center and Capitol House Apartments to her membership and support to Altrusa Business Women’s Association, Red Cross Area Board, Kirkwood Community Partners, Chamber of Commerce, Iowa City Area Development (ICAD), Project Green workshops, demos, tours, and plant sales, Englert Theater; Women’s Athletic Board. She also donated money to many other causes and buildings for a prison halfway house, Battered Women’s Shelter and a walkway/bike path along Ralston Creek. She made everything from costumes to cupcakes, was a den mother, and made hundreds of floral arrangements, corsages and boutonnières, and bandages, whenever her children and grandchildren needed them. Freda was a passionate champion of many causes, and positively represented business women while still remaining feminine. From childhood to adulthood, she put her best effort into everything she did. She often said, “If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.” Freda Hieronymus was the solution. She will be greatly missed.