Ida Ruth Hassler's Obituary
Ida P. Hassler, a loving, beautiful and intelligent woman; was born February 21, 1940 in Davenport, Iowa and passed away peacefully on December 7, 2016 in Richardson, Texas; ending a 5-year journey with dementia. Ida was a natural leader in a time when women weren’t seen or expected to be leaders. Her can-do attitude was instilled while she grew up as the daughter of a land-speculator father and a natural-leader mother, who took over the family interests after her father’s premature passing. Throughout her life, she always loved and protected her mother and her younger twin brothers, Dick and Glen Phelps. A talented musician, she met her husband, Edwin B. Hassler, Jr., at Northwestern University in the band program, which was populated by students with heavy day course loads. As an incoming freshman, she won his “1st Chair” Clarinet position from him during his junior year. She graduated from Northwestern University in 1962 with a degree in Chemistry. Supporting her husband through graduate school, she worked as a graduate assistant writing computer programs for chemistry professors in the formational years of computer technology. As a resident of Dallas since 1966, she gave freely of her time and talents by volunteering through the Dallas Center for Nonprofit Management – devoting her time to training boards; and supporting nonprofits. She was heavily involved with the Girl Scouts of America, running the Dallas Summer Day Camp program for over a decade; and serving as leader for her daughters’ Girl Scout troops and her son’s Cub Scout den. She was devoted to her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha; serving as the Chairman of the national Chapter Financial Management Committee, mentoring college treasurers and participating in her local Dallas recommendation committee. She was passionate about helping others and impacted many people through her work and support of the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, Our Friend’s Place, St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Allen. She was an instrument-rated pilot, scuba diver, and traveled all seven continents and many island nations with her husband. She was a lover and liver of life. But perhaps there was no greater passion for her than what she felt for her family; including her husband of 54 years, Edwin B. Hassler, Jr; and their children: Rebecca (Becky) Shellabarger; Elizabeth (Betsy) Johnson and Edwin B. Hassler, III. Her eyes always delighted when she greeted her grandchildren and welcomed them with raspberry kisses and big bear hugs, memories that her grandchildren, Loren, IV & David Shellabarger; Julie & Amy Johnson; and Edwin, IV & Christian Hassler will carry with them forever. She was treasured and will be missed by her daughter and sons in law; Leslie Hassler, Loren Shellabarger, III; and Michael Johnson. Family will receive friends through visitation on December 9, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Restland Funeral Home at 13005 Greenville Avenue; Dallas, TX 75243. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 1:30 PM at the First Presbyterian Church of Allen at 605 S Greenville Ave, Allen, TX 75002, with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Friends Place. Our Friends Place helps young women break generational cycles of abuse, neglect, poverty and homelessness. Our Friends Place is dedicated to providing a strong foundation for girls and young women to build from adversity by learning a self-reliant approach to their own development. Please feel free to give material gifts in the name of Ida P. Hassler at http://www.ourfriendsplace.org/our-wish-list/ or monetary gifts at http://www.ourfriendsplace.org/make-a-donation/ .
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