Alda (Bevan) Kendell

Alda Bevan Kendell, 87, of rural Bellevue, passed away at Upper Paradise Farm, on January 26, 2016 from complications of congestive heart failure and Lyme disease. Alda was born on August 11, 1928, at Paradise Farm, fourth of five children, to Godfrey Charles and Helen (Potter) Bevan. Alda attended grade school and high school in Maquoketa and was a member of St. Marks Episcopal Church. She earned a BS in Biology from the University of Dubuque in 1948 and then continued her education at Northwestern University, in Chicago, IL, where she earned a Masters degree and trained to be a Physical Therapist. She worked with patients at Cook County Hospital, University of Illinois Research Hospital, and on polio epidemics in Chicago, Council Bluffs, IA and Brazil. On October 3, 1953, Alda and David Robert Kendell were united in marriage at All Saints Episcopal Church in Western Springs, IL. Alda continued treating private patients and participating in research projects. She expressed her love of music by being involved with vocal solo performance, youth and adult church choirs. While in the Chicago suburbs, she was actively involved in DAR, Questers, the Cook County Republican party, and activities at Grace Episcopal Church, Hinsdale. After they retired, Alda and David moved to Upper Paradise Farm in Bellevue. Aldas many interests included genealogy, music, the arts, history, travel and collecting antiques. She was a member of Questers, Julien Dubuque chapter of DAR, Order of the Eastern Star, PEO - Chapter FL and Triangle Art Club. She also served on the board of the Jackson County Historical Society and the Dubuque Arts Council. She helped place many Jackson County buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Alda was an active member of St. Johns Episcopal Church, Dubuque, during her college years as well as in retirement. Alda is survived by her children, Llora (Jerry) Cartwright of Omaha, NE and David (Ann) Kendell of Bellevue; Grandchildren, Elizabeth (Ben) Pettinger, Jerry (Kate), Emma and Gwen Cartwright of Omaha, NE and James, Andrew and Sarah Kendell of Bellevue, IA; Great-grandsons, David and Michael Pettinger, Omaha, NE; Sister-in-laws, Averle Bevan and Sandra Brockhage of Bellevue, IA and many nieces & nephews. Alda was preceded in death by her husband, David R. Kendell; brothers, Charles, Tom, George and John Bevan and her parents. A visitation will be held Sunday, January 31, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Hachmann Funeral Home, 100 N. 6th St., Bellevue. A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 1, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Johns Episcopal Church, 14th and Main St., Dubuque. Friends may also visit with the family from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church before the service. Memorials may be given to St. Johns Episcopal Church (Dubuque), the Jackson County Historical Society (Maquoketa) or Order of the Eastern Star scholarship fund (Bellevue).