Elsa Kaplan-Vass

MOORLAND: Elsa Kaplan-Vass, 81, of Moorland, IA, died unexpectedly on Sunday, January 13, 2019, at The Villa at St. Louis Park Nursing Home in Minnesota. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM on Monday, January 21, 2019, at the Historic Bruce Funeral Home, 923 1st Avenue South, with Rev. Jim Davis of Gowrie, IA officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM on Sunday, January 20, 2019, at the funeral home. Interment will take place in the Elkhorn Township Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Blanden Memorial Art Museum (Education Fund), 920 3rd Avenue South, Fort Dodge, IA 50501 or Almost Home Humane Society of North Central Iowa, 725 S. 32nd Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.brucesfuneralhome.com

Elsa was born December 18, 1937, in Fort Dodge, the daughter of Ernest and Margaret (Kopecky) Kaplan. She graduated from Callender High School in 1956, and continued her education at the University of Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA where she earned her BA degree. On New Year's Eve in 1985, Elsa was united in marriage to George Vass in Panama. Elsa was a teacher who taught for several years in the United States, then because of her love of traveling, taught Army independent children in Germany, Okinawa, Japan and Panama. She was a Docent at the Blanden Art Museum and enjoyed giving tours to the school children. She also enjoyed painting, tending to her flower beds, being on the farm and taking care of her dogs and cat. She was a member of the VFW.

Elsa is survived by her husband of 32 years: George Vass of Moorland; sister: Mary Ann Imholte of Milwaukee, WI; 2 nephews: Eric Imholte and wife Jill of Milwaukee and Aaron Imholte and wife Kelly of West Bend, WI; aunt: Barbara Christopher and husband Merle of Fort Dodge, as well as many beloved cousins and friends. She is also survived by her fur babies: Bootsie, Homer and Harriet.

She was preceded in death by her parents.