Vadonna Pearl (Lucas) Price (1917 - 2003)

Born 23 Sep 1917 in Nodaway County, Missouri

Ancestors

Died 19 Mar 2003 at age 85 in Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa

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Biography

Sources

• Vadonna Pearl (Lucas) Price, the sixth child and third daughter of Joseph Leroy (Roy) and Lena Pearl (Stutesman) Lucas, was born September 23, 1917, on the sixty-third anniversary of her Grandfather John Stutesman's birth on the "Bartles" farm northwest of Sheridan, Missouri.

According to her older brother, Vane Lucas, who was nine when she was born, in his book, "Country Boy Ph'd" "She was plump, pretty and very welcome: into the family of three older brothers, Vane, Max and Kenneth and two older isters, Marie Larison and Doris O'Dell."

When Vadonna was two years old the family of eight moved by wagon from Sheridan, Missouri to Clayton Township, Taylor County, Bedford, Iowa to live on the Crum farm.

Vadonna attended country schools with her first teacher being her oldest sister, Marie. Vadonna got her first and only spanking in school from her sister/teacher Marie because she chewed her crayons. She graduated from 8th grade in May 1930 and earned her certificate for admission to high school.

Vadonna went to high school in Bedford and because of the distance from her home to the high school she roomed in Bedford during her freshman, junior and senior years. She loved school and excelled in many areas. During her senior year she was a softball pitcher on the Bedford High School girls all-star team that went to the state tournament in Des Moines. Vadonna graduated in May 1934, third in her class of sixty-four students. Vadonna maintaned a close relationship with her classmates in later years. She served as secretary for many years helping to organize their many class reunions.

After graduating from Bedford High School she worked at the Taylor County Home as a cook and later as a secretary for Taylor County Farm Bureau office.

In 1935 she met Ralph Oren Price while roller skating at the Bedford rink. She fell down and Ralph literally fell over her. Her brother, Kenneth, who was skating there also, knew Ralph and proceeded to introduce Vadonna to Ralph formally. Ralph always said "she tripped him on roller skates and he fell for her".

On Setember 23, 1936, on her 19th birthday, Ralph proposed to Vadonna. They were married on Saturday evening, May 8, 1937, at her parent's home, on the Gunison farm, one mile north of Bedford, Iowa by Reverend W.H. Hoge.

After the short honeymoon to Maryville, Missouri, they moved to "Grandpa" Elmer Barton's house five miles north of Gravity, Iowa on the Gravity-Gus road. Ralph was farming with his parents, Oren and Emma (Barker) Price who lived one-fourth mile south of Ralph and Vadonna. After Ralph's parents moved off the farm, Ralph and Vadonna moved to the home place which had been established by Ralph's grandfather, William H. Price in 1894. They lived there until moving to Gravity in 1962.

Vadonna and Ralph were the parents of eight children, Karen Irene (Norman) Akers, of St Joseph, Missouri; Marilyn Jean Leek, of Indianola, Iowa; Betty Elaine (Keith) Swigart, of Seligman, Missouri; Richard Duane (Sharon) of Corning, Iowa; Robert Craig (Lenett) of Seligman, Missouri; Barbara Vadonna (Denny) Elder, of St Joseph, Missouri; Alan Ralph (Debra) of Golden Valley, Minnesota; and Bryan John of Jefferson, Iowa.

Vadonna was very active and involved in her children's lives as they were growing up. She served as their 4-H leader, room mother, PTA officer, and family chauffeur. She was a good seamstress, making many of the children's clothes as well as band uniforms and dance costumes. She loved to cook. Gladys Combs, her long-time, tea-drinking friend and dear neighbor, said she was one of the best cooks in Taylor County. She organized and cooked many dinners for the PTA, Gravity Methodist Church, and neighbors. Vadonna also enjoyed gardening, crocheting and playing pitch. She always raised a large garden to provide canned vegetables for her family. She crocheted many afghans and doilies for family members. She was always ready to challenge anyone in a game of pitch, which, for the Lucas family, is a national pastime.

Vadonna was involved in her community. She was elected and served two terms on the Gravity City Council. Vadonna was a member of the DOC Club, Gravity Study Club, Oak Hill Christian Church Ladies Aid, and the Extension Club.

Vadonna loved her Lord Jesus Christ. She was a baptized member of the Gravity United Methodist church where she served her God in many capacities from church janitor to committee chairpersons, to president of the United Methodist Women for many years. One of her greatest joys came from serving and caring for other people.

In July 1965, Vadonna began working outside the home at the Clarinda Mental Health Institute. She worked the 11:00 pm to 7:00 am shift so she could continue to care for her family in the daytime. She retired on July 1, 1981 after 16 years of employment.

In May, 1987, Vadonna and Ralph celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. She was so thrilled with all her family and friends being with them for their special day.

On January 30, 1988, Ralph preceded her in death.

Vadonna loved children, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was never too busy or too tired to accept the opportunity of caring for them. It did not matter how many there were, she always welcomed them and their firiends with big hugs and lots of kisses. Of course, the refrigerator and cookie jar were always full.

The fifteen grandchildren she doted on are Rick and Roger Akers; Julia (Akers) McFarland; Scott Leek; Sonja (Swigart) Wells; Marty and Michael Swigart; Reo (Price) Menning; Richard (Dick) Price II; Bridge (Price) Pleake; Douglas Price; Kelsey and Jacob Price, Step-grandchildren, Bridget Westerman and Nikki (Jordan) Decker.

The twenty-three great-grandchildren are Ryan and Kevin Akers; Tara, Jonathan, Samuel, Alison, Julia and Laura Akers; Mark and Sarah McFarland; Miranda Leek; Jessica, Nathan and Brendan Wells; Ashley, Brittany and Cody Swigart; Dustin Swigart; Macy Pleake; and Mercedes Price. Step-great-grandchildren are Kayla Rodriguez, Noah Decker and Cole Rodenburg.

In addition to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she is survived by her brother, Vane Lucas. Sisters-in-law, Margaret Lucas, Dorothy Lucas, Selma Lucas and Annabelle Lucas.

In addition to her husband, Ralph, she is preceded in death by her parents Joseph Leroy (Roy) and Lena Pearl (Stutesman) Lucas, brothers Max, Kenneth, Ivan and Ronald, sisters Marie Larison and Doris O'Dell. Brothers-in-law, Estel Larison and Herman O'Dell; sister-in-law, Blythe (Damewood) Lucas and great-grandchildren, Lacy Dawn Swigart.

In July 1991, she was diagnosed with a dementia related disease and has resided in the Bedford Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center since then. She was lovingly cared for by the staff at the care facility for eleven and a half years.

Vadonna was a wonderful Christian influence in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She exemplified the Christian virtues of goodness, self-control, endurance, godliness, mutual affection and most of all love. We know as Christians, we will be reunited with her in eternal life.