Wava Ann Reschly

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Wava Ann Reschly, 89, of Kalona, died Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at Pioneer Park in Lone Tree, Iowa.

Wava was born May 24, 1930, in rural Kalona, the daughter of Chris and Cora (Miller) Troyer.  She graduated from Brush No. 8 Rural School.  Wava was baptized in the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church and remained a member until her death.   On June 21, 1957, she married Raymond L. Reschly at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church in Kalona. 

Wava grew up on a farm outside of Kalona, one of 12 children.  She has held several roles in her life from homemaker, mother, grandmother, caregiver, furniture rental manager, and housekeeper. 

Her most endearing feature was her ability to make a friend wherever she went.  No one stayed a stranger in her presence.  She was a “mom” and “grandma Wava” to every one of her children’s friends, and acquaintances. 

She loved to garden and made a mean pickle.  She enjoyed cooking, canning and making sure her birds (and all her family) stayed fed.  She was a member of the women’s sewing club and had a passion for quilting and many of us treasure the quilts she made for us. She was also a member of the Kalona Women’s Optimist Club. 

Wava opened her home many summers to Fresh Air children from inner-city Chicago.  She hosted 36 children over her lifetime creating lifelong friendships.

Survivors include four children: Jeffrey (Denise) Reschly of Riverside, Michael (Sheri) Reschly, of Elizabeth, Colo., Trish (Michael) Constable, of Henderson, Colo., and  Brent (Megan) Reschly of Marshalltown; five grandchildren: Olivia Reschly, Justin (Hilary) Bowlin, Andrea Bowlin, Emily Constable, Abby Constable; one great-grandchild: Tripp Bowlin; seven siblings: Wilbur (Nadene) Troyer of Nampa, Idaho, Don (Phyllis) Troyer of Nampa, Idaho, John Troyer of Houston, Texas, Carolyn Vaandrager of Grand Rapids, Mich., Mary Troyer (Dick Means) of Riverside, Keith (Linda) Troyer of Kalona; a sister-in-law: Evelyn Troyer of Blue Grass, Iowa;  as well as many other nieces, nephews, and Reschly family members. 

Preceding Wava in death were her parents; her husband: Raymond on Nov. 5, 2019; three brothers: Cleo, Paul, and Harold Troyer; two sisters: Marjorie Troyer and Lois Birky; four sisters-in-law: Arlene, Fannie, Fern, and Joanna Troyer; and two brothers-in-law: Neil Birky and Vern Vaandrager.

Due to COVID-19 a private family service will be held. Burial will be in the Lower Deer Creek Cemetery.  A public celebration of life service will be held at later date.  A memorial fund has been established for Iowa City Hospice or donor’s choice.  The Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona is caring for Wava and her family.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City Hospice, and Pioneer Park for their kindness and service to Wava.   The family would also like to thank the members of Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church and the many friends and family that have supported Wava over the last few months.