Obituary of Gloma J. Rosenthal

Gloma J. Rosenthal, 85, longtime resident of Iowa City, died suddenly Wednesday February 3, 2016, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC), Iowa City. Memorial services will be held at 11am Saturday, February 13, 2016, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City, where visitation will be from 9am Saturday until services. Online condolences may be sent at www.gayandciha.com. Gloma Joy Peterson was born February 14, 1930, in Ringsted, Iowa, the daughter of Cyrus and Nellie (Littlefield) Peterson. The family moved to Randall, Iowa in 1936 where she attended high school. She also attended Waldorf College during her high school years. Gloma was active in Camp Fire Girls during high school and college, serving on the staff of Camp Hantesa in Boone for many years. She graduated from Drake University in 1951 with a Bachelor in Fine Arts and taught Art at Fort Dodge Junior High School until she joined the Red Cross to work at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. She married Leonard Rosenthal in 1954. They lived in Golden, Colorado; Iowa City, Iowa; and New Orleans, Louisiana and settled in Iowa City again in 1963 where they raised their family. She worked at UIHC Medical Arts for many years until her parents' health required her full-time attention. Gloma was the Activity Coordinator at the Lone Tree Care Center for 13 years. She even assisted with activities at Legacy Ridge; including organizing an outing to caucus this month. Gloma was heavily involved in Boy Scouts with her two sons, who both attained the rank of Eagle Scout with her steadfast guidance; and continued her long participation in Camp Fire with her daughter. She was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church for almost 50 years. She served as a poll worker for over 40 years. As an enthusiastic reader, she required a good plot of her books. Gloma loved the outdoors. Getting her hands in the dirt and making things grow was her great joy. She was also an avid walker. Through Volkssport, she co-founded the Hawkeye Hikers. In over 20 years, she participated in nearly 300 walks in all 50 states and several foreign countries. Her legacy of steadfast love and devotion will continue forever through her family: for surely "Her children rise up and call her blessed" (Proverbs 31: 28). She will be missed by her family and many east side friends. Her family includes three children, son, Eric (Ann) Rosenthal of Cedar Rapids and their children Abigail (Joseph) Wall of Pardubice, Czech Republic; Hannah (Simon) Nielsen of Sønderborg, Denmark; Michael (Kathryn) Rosenthal of Ames, Iowa; David Rosenthal (and fiancé Katharine Selberg) of Ames, Iowa; and, Daniel Rosenthal, active duty US Navy; son, Kurt Emmett Rosenthal and Julie Emmett and their daughter, Audrey of Pleasanton, CA.; and daughter, Karla (Stephen) Knudsen and their daughters Ella and Rose of Tybee Island, GA; niece Patricia Butler of Santa Barbara, CA; niece Karen Braswell; nephew Steve (Beth) Peterson of Clarkston, MI; niece Beth (Mike) Carleton of Roseville, MI; and nieces Stacey Crosby and Meredith Crosby of Griffin, GA. Preceded in death by parents Cyrus and Nellie Peterson; brother, John Peterson; and, great-grandchild Shiloh Wall. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Gloma's family and her services.