Edith LeCocq, 1907-2007

Edith LeCocq, by anyone's standards who has lived long in Pella, was a pillar in the community. To say she was gifted musically would be an understatement. A woman of exceptional energy, she was also gifted in her love, faith and dedication to her family, to her Central College students, and to her art. Turning her back on what surely would have been a grand New York career, she commented later "I think I influenced many more students, did more good for others, than I ever would have as a professional."

At Central for 36 years, she taught Voice, Music Appreciation, Art Song and Vocal Pedagogy. Her Central students found her to be not only an excellent teacher, but a mentor and a mother as well, and many remained in contact with her long after their years at Central. On Edith's death, many sent remembrances to her daughter and her husband, LouAnn and Don Heene.

"Edith was one of the first people I met (at Central) and recognizing newness and uncertainty on campus, she took me under her wing and...there I stayed. She became my mentor, my teacher, and a life-long friend...I learned...that Edith was not only fun to be with but was also frequently very funny...she had many talents including seeing potential needs and filling them...she showed us by the way she lived what a life lived in faith means."

"She seemed to know the music that would set my heart on fire."

"Mrs. LeCocq was one of those wonderful teachers with discipline and a demand for excellence."

"She certainly did not appear to be part of the establishment of Central. Very sophisticated, very special."

"Mrs. LeCocq's Music Appreciation class was like a breath of fresh air for me...While I only had one class with her and was never involved in the music program at Central it was one of the courses that... has had a life-long impact."

"I was in awe of Mrs. LeCocq...I was overwhelmed by her classy demeanor and twinkling eyes."

"I enjoyed learning from her and was impressed that she did not take any exception to the fact that I was not a music major. I felt like she really cared about me and wanted to help me. She challenged me beyond my comfort zone..."

LouAnn related her own remembrance of being a student in her mother's class at Central College and receiving a C. When questioned, her mother said "But LouAnn, you never practiced!"

LouAnn, an only child, gave other glimpses into her life. Because her mother worked full-time, Saturdays at their home were very busy, and she had to help her mother with the cleaning, laundry, and baking. Edith was a wonderful cook and bread baker, and they always had homemade bread. Being frugal, she gave hair cuts and home perms to her family, and a few friends. They always had dogs, because LouAnn's father (Ed LeCocq, a cartoonist with the Des Moines Register) raised and sold - and judged - shepherds as a hobby.

"Her faith was very strong," LouAnn said. "It buoyed her up in difficult circumstances. She was always able to say the right thing to people who were suffering." LouAnn related how her mother would visit a college professor, who had developed bone cancer, and give him gentle massages, and help to change his bedding. "He said it made him feel so much better," LouAnn related. "Mother did so much more in Christian service to individuals than she did through all the organizations she was part of."

In addition to singing at countless funerals, weddings, and concerts, Edith served as several churches' choir director; was a member of the Second Reformed Church; a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter BU for over 50 years; a member of Reading Circle; volunteered in many community projects such as Tulip Time productions; was an active member of many state and national music organizations throughout her life; and taught private lessons.

LouAnn also said that her mother loved cars. "She loved to drive, and one day driving to Des Moines she looked over at me and said, 'If I'd been a man, I'd a been a race car driver.'"

Edith's favorite class at Central, according to LouAnn, was Music Appreciation - because of the jocks. "They didn't know anything about classical music, but they all came out of that class buying classical records as fast as they could. She instilled in them a sense of the beauty of music and a love for it. Many football and basketball players would say that Music Appreciation was the only class they remember."

When Don and LouAnn Heene decided to return to Pella upon their own retirement, they bought Edith's house, and she happily moved into Hilltop, where she played the piano, read to the blind, and held current events classes. She was a life-long Cubbies fan, and would watch any sport on television. In fact, that's all she watched, according to LouAnn, and when she moved to Jefferson Place, she thoroughly enjoyed the anonymous gift of Dish Network.

LouAnn shared many memories of her mother with me, and was gracious enough to allow me to share with you the following story of Edith LeCocq's life, as Edith herself wrote it.

In Her Own Words

I was born on a farm near Bussey, Iowa. My father's name was Herman, my mother's name was Allie. Both had been married before. Father's wife Leona died following the birth of a son, Ivan, Mother's husband of kidney failure, leaving her with a year-old son, Timothy. Herman and Allie married, and in 1900, Annie was born. Seven years later I was born. We were both born on August 30, seven years apart, in the same house, same room, same dr. and both at 11 p.m. She was glad to have me as a birthday gift. I now had a sister and two half brothers.

I started school in a one-room schoolhouse with a big stove in the center. Nellie Bridges was the teacher and I loved her. We had a big farm house, so every teacher lived with us. My darling mother was a wonderful cook and it seemed that our table had a lot of folks with us. As I remember, the Methodist minister and wife were guests quite often.

Mother's son Tim died in January, 1916 of cancer of the bone. He was 21 years old. Ivan sold cars in Bussey, then went to Des Moines and became president of Iowa Roofing Company with which he remained until retirement. He died in 1978.

Returning to my early childhood, we lived a mile from Bussey. Leaving the country school, which was no more. We were tested to see what grade we were to go and I tested out, so I never had third or fourth but went into fifth, so I was always younger than my classmates. I had two years of high school in Bussey. My folks moved in 1922 to Pella. They knew I had musical talent and wanted to help me. I started voice lessons with Mrs. Liggett at Central College while I finished high school. My senior year in high school I was singing with the Central Girls Glee Club. I was 16. We toured northern Iowa one day going from church to schools to try to get students to come to Central. A snowstorm caught us and we were stuck in the road. We walked to a farmhouse and they took care of us for a few hours.

I spent two years at Central and our girls singing group had a number of interesting experiences traveling in Iowa, in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Church members in the various towns were hosts and hostesses to us. After the concerts, we were assigned to various homes.

We were to visit a short time with our family host. We were tired and asked to be excused. A lighted lantern was given to us and we went outside, down a dark path to the two holer outhouse. When we came in the kitchen we noticed a man sitting in a chair, back and to the side of the stove. He made no response to a "good evening." Our hostess took us to a small room near the living room. I was a bit alarmed to find no door to close, but she said "Just draw those curtains together." She saw my fear as I asked "Who is the gentleman behind the stove?" She replied "That is our son who is a bit queer but he sleeps in a room near the stove to stay warm. He will not bother you."

My roommate Artie Gaass (Rysdam later) and I were not so sure. We tried to sleep but decided that one would sleep while the other stayed awake, taking turns, but we were glad when the morning light came, neither one very ready for a new day of traveling and a concert at night.

One other night on a country farm, we were taken upstairs to find strings of popcorn across the room and above our mattress on the floor. The lady gave us a large can to use as our need demanded and remarked as she left us, "In the morning just open the window and empty it." Some girls were more fortunate staying in towns with Mrs. Liggett in homes with bathrooms and water.

These Christian congregations were very kind and shared with us their love and what they had to offer. We sang for them expressing our mutual love of Christ. We were both blessed.

It seemed my destiny was always to sing, beginning at three years of age singing "Jesus Loves Me" in the Liberty country church. This continued whether at church, school, community affairs, women's organizations, funerals, weddings, or family gatherings. It was my lot to sing solos. Through the years of study and teaching it has been the same.

I must tell you how romance came into my life's story. High school bands were interesting, so I learned to play trombone and loved it. Pella City Band was very good so I joined. Saturday nights were so popular for the concerts in the park. My solo voice numbers followed several band (numbers). Each Saturday evening while I was singing, my eyes saw a tall, handsome man, all alone in the back, listening. A classmate told me (she was a relative of his) he was Ed LeCocq, a cartoon artist who was on the Des Moines Register staff.

I was invited to a dinner at Theo and Ida LeCocq's home. Ed appears as a guest also. She had arranged it all ahead of time. So began our courtship.

Mrs. Liggett had arranged for me to meet and sing for an unusually fine voice teacher. Mr. and Mrs. John C. Wilcox were in Oskaloosa visiting her relatives and he was to sing a recital at Penn College. I knew then I had found my new teacher, and he liked what he heard.

The next three summers of six weeks were spent in Denver studying both voice and piano. Mrs. Grubb was my piano teacher.

I left Central and planned to spend the next year in Denver. Expenses were high for room, board and lessons, so Mr. Wilcox, Daddy to me by that time, got an interview for a job at Denver radio station. I was a bit nervous but Daddy said "You can do it. Make them believe you can because half of a job is bluff anyway."

I was telephone operator, sang solos when needed, accompanied any whose accompanist didn't show up. It was a great learning experience.

I also had a beautiful diamond ring on my left hand finger from that handsome Ed LeCocq.

November with Thanksgiving came and also Ed LeCocq to see me. The home where I was living had an extra room so he rented it and decided to stay, longer than I had expected. He drew his daily cartoons for the Des Moines Register and mailed them. He said he would not go home without me, so he won my approval to be married.

We were married in the Wilcox Studio on December 20, 1926. Mrs. Wilcox played "Here Comes the Bride" and a Methodist minister, a friend, performed the ceremony. Daddy Wilcox cried as he realized, at least for a time, I would not continue my study. He knew I could have a great career if I had chosen to continue. He had talked to me about two teachers, one in Chicago and one in New York, which he had hoped to introduce to me for study. This was not to be.

When we arrived in Des Moines after a night's ride on the train, the Register photographers were there and our only wedding pictures were those. A story and picture was in the paper the next day. We rented an apartment on Polk Blvd. named Eddie. We went to Pella to spend Christmas with our two families. My folks had moved back to the farm near Bussey.

I must pause here to tell you that Daddy Wilcox organized and was first president of the International "National Association of Teachers of Singing" known as "NATS." He felt that too many people were teaching voice lessons without proper training. College teachers joined in so that a set of standards were made to become members. Students and others knew they had a trained teacher if they had met the "NATS" requirements. That is a short review of "NATS" which is strong today. I judged a few students in "NATS" competition in Des Moines.

Ed had attacks of heart fibrillations, his first while in Denver in December while with me. Very frightening but Dr. said "Stay quiet and the heart will return to natural rhythm." He lived with that the rest of his life.

We returned to Pella to live.

The next years were difficult, beginning in our first home. I became ill to find I had a case of smallpox. I had vaccination shots early in Bussey school, but not effective anymore. Ed went to stay with his folks, fearful that he might get it. A nurse came to stay with me, from the Oskaloosa hospital. I was quaranteened for three weeks. She stayed two weeks. I was alone the last week. Ed brought groceries for us and neighbors gave us fruit and vegetables, leaving them on the front porch.

We moved to a new home in east Pella where we had a large back yard for a garden and a fence enclosed for dogs. We were never without German shepherds.

I was still singing for this and that and I started my first paying job as Director of First Reformed Church Choir. There were two services with choir. For eighteen years I did that being paid $63.00 a month.

Our great joy came when we were blessed with a baby girl on January 8, 1933. We named her LouAnn - with LeCocq made a musical rhythm. Just say it and see.

I had been helping Mrs. Liggett at Central and she had always hoped I would take her place when she retired. I knew I had to finish my degree at Central, so I started taking classes and finished in 1943. My work at Central was so successful, thanks to Daddy Wilcox, my solid vocal foundation was real. President Erwin Lubbers talked to me about graduate school and I told him we were in no financial position to do that. He said, "If you will go and come back to teach as you are doing now, we will pay for your classes."

I spent six weeks at University of Michigan one summer to explore graduate work. I sang a role in the opera "The Bartered Bride," took Italian diction and French song literature and diction. I was not pleased with my voice teacher, so I said "no" to the University.

I registered at University of Iowa and with the great faculty, finished my Masters degree (in Vocal Music Performance) during summers and teaching full-time at Central. It was not easy but I enjoyed every year. I must give great praise to Ed, LouAnn and my mother, who helped during the very difficult years.

Iowa University wanted to sponsor a Carnegie Hall recital in New York if I would return as vocal teacher.

I loved Central, was the one vocal teacher, loved the faculty and Pella. I saw no advantage in changing residence, changing family life, etc. so remained at Central teaching voice, music appreciation, art song, vocal pedogogy for 35+ years 'till retirement in 1972.

Years beore this I had given up the choir at First Reformed Church. It is interesting to know how this happened. A new band leader had been hired at Pella High. He also had vocal training. Fred Whalley and wife Elsie rented the upstairs apartment in our home. I asked him if he would be interested in the church choir position. He was hired and he served there many years.

I started quite soon as choir director at Second Reformed. Ed was a life-long member of Second, having been baptized in the first Second Reformed where his father, Frank, and Uncle Ike were elders and had the first English services. I was a member of the Pella Baptist Church, joining there in 1922 when we moved to Pella. LouAnn joined Second and I changed my membership to Second. We were a happy family at Second.

I have said before it was my destiny to sing for everything in college and community. On many choir tours, I was the soloist. I remember on one and perhaps others, the choir members would go to the basement and in my solo at a time when I hit the high note in the score, they knew they had to get lined up to come back for more choir numbers.

I directed Chapel Choir, a prerequisite to A Cappella Choir. I organized a group of nine girls and we toured churches in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota for public relations to get students to come to Central. One trip was especially great as we went to California. We went in three cars. Ed drove our Ford station wagon with myself, two girls, LouAnn and all the luggage and choir robes. Armand Renskers drove his car and Rev. and Mrs. Euwema their car. A. Renskers became a minister and was pastor at Second Church for several years.

One episode on our trip home from Californias a bad experience. It was Easter Sunday, a beautiful morning and we stopped at a lovely roadside park and had a short prayer service. When we were about 15 or 20 miles into Texas, we ran into a terrible dust storm. It was hot and with the windows shut, it was very uncomfortable. We got to the town of Delhart, except the Euwema car was not with us. We found an oil station and asked if they could go to help, but they said "No, it must be vapor lock caused by the dust" and their truck would do the same, but finally two men went out and got the Euwema car. They were frightened but OK. The men advised us to go to the motel and get some rest because the storm would slow down during the night but start up again in the morning.

I got everybody settled. The bedspreads were full of dust, but we shook them out. I told everybody I would get everybody up at 2:00 a.m. to start home. I went to each cabin and we were soon on our way home. We got to Kansas City and debated to stay there or keep going. Everybody wanted to go on. We drove into Pella about 12:00 p.m, tired but happy to be home.

I want to list some of my many performances during my years at Central. I have sung opera, oratorio, musical comedy, art song recitals and faculty "skits" in fun times; the "Bartered Bride" at University of Michigan and in Iowa City; Handel's "Messiah" thirteen times at Central, soprano solos and two occasions sang both soprano and contralto roles; went to Penn College and Coe College singing soprano; Mozart's "Requiem" at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI, also at SUI, Ames, IA; State Music Teachers Association at Iowa City with orchestra; sang two R. Strauss songs and the "Liebestod" from Wagner's opera "Tristan and Isolde" (The violinist/concert meister was an elderly gentleman who escaped from Nazi Germany. He was so great. He gave me a hug and with tears in his eyes, told me of his daughter, a singer, who was still in Germany and he had not heard from her. They were, as Jews, being in prison or dead. He said my German diction was perfect.); the lead roles in musical comedy - "Pinafore," "Call Me Madam," "Happy Hunting." Perhaps my greatet role was my last one at Central as Mother Superior in "Sound of Music." I won the gold cup as best actress.

In 1954-55 December and January in Iowa City, I sang the "Bachianas Brasileras" by Heitor Villa Lobos accompanied by 8 cellos and a string bass. The first section called for the solist to "hum" making my voice sound like a solo stringed instrument. President Hancher of the University came to the stage to congratulate me - a big moment.

In 1957, a call came from Harold Stark, head of the vocal department at Iowa City (I did my Masters work with him earlier.), asking me to come sing the leading role in a modern opera "Albert Herring" by the English composer Benjamin Britten. It was a summer production so had to be ready by July 23. We worked so hard, practicing all day and in the evening. We gave four performances. Costumes were all made new for me. There were four changes with outlandish hats, all made by the costume designer. Critics in the Iowa City paper, the college story in their "Daily Iowan," gave me the honor of the most high praise. It was fun but a lot of hard work to be learned and ready in six weeks time. I lived in a dorm with a delightful person as roommate. She was the dance instructor of children's theater and dance at Drake University in Des Moines.

People have asked me how I could discipline myself to remain calm in performance. I say, first, know your material or score. Concentrate, never to let the audience know even if you are a bit nervous. Perhaps the two most difficult times, when I needed to put away emotions, were during two memorial services in Douwstra Chapel. I sang, as requested, "I know that my Redeemer liveth" from Handel's "Messiah" for both Mrs. Liggett's and a few months later Dr. Wendell's .

In 1972 when I planned to retire, an October Homecoming program was organized in honor of my years of teaching. Dr. Irwin Lubbers, who helped me many years earlier, said some nice things about me. His son Don was now President of Central. An alumnae choir, with the A Cappella, directed by Laurence Grooters, sang several numbers and I sang "Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley" and "Climb Every Mountain." There were 50+ voices in the choir and only two of them had not during their years had lessons with me. The audience was the Alumnae Banquet crowd. With dozens of red rose in my arms, I bowed to the standing ovation. There is a tape of that program with LouAnn. A record was made from many songs which was called "A Tribute to Edith leCocq" that is also on tape. I continued to teach some private students for some time.

LouAnn and Don planned to retire in Pella, following 23 years in Maryland. I was pleased to know they bought my home at 311 Central Drive, so I have them here and also remembering our 32 years of happiness in the home.

Ed passed away April 12, 1995. On June 15, 1995 I moved to Hilltop Manor in Pella. I am not able to sing but I use my talents in playing hymns, reading Scripture to the residents here, also I read the Pella Chronicle to three blind ladies each week. I am very happy here.

My life story may have been interesting, but the foundation of my life of faith, hope, love and the Bible was presented to me in early childhood. My parents took the family to church and Sunday School. The holy spirit has guided me all of my life, knowing that in prayer and meditation His peace is always near.

Following are some of my favorite Bible verses:

We know that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord. Romans 8:28
Through faith I have learned to be content with whatever I have. Phillipians 4:11-13
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things will be added unto you. Matt. 6
Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest for your souls.
What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but what will he give in exchange for his own soul?
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world gives unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14: 27-28
The 23rd. Psalm - The Lord is my shepherd
Proverbs 9-10-12
Wisdom Psalm 27 - The Lord is my light
I Corinthians 16:13 is my code for living the "good" life: "Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love"
If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

Favorite hymns:

O God Our Help in Ages Past
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Amazing Grace
Now Thank We all Our God
Fairest Lord Jesus
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
Praise to the Lord the Almighty
If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee
(Many more)

LouAnn suggested that I continue to write my story.

November 17, 2005 (start)

I moved from North Hilltop to the Pella Nursing Home. On Nov. 8, 2004 I moved to Jefferson Place. I have a lovely room with three windows on the south.

I want to recall some very great things that ten years has been. Don and Lou remodeled the home adding a large new living room, screen porch and deck. We had a first Thanksgiving there.

They planned my 90th birthday with 25 guests, food catered in, lots of flowers, a special corsage of roses from Pat Moffit. It was all so wonderful.

In September 2004 at Central's Homecoming, four persons who had taught at Central for at least 25 years (Edith LeCocq, Larry Grooters, Davis Folkerts and Dave Williams), A Cappella members of former years came, at least 150, to sing. Each of us four was given a portrait of ourselves and they are hung in the foyer of the music building.

My greatest joy is to know the success stories of my students. Two Doctors degrees in Performance and teaching; teachers, conductors, singing, arranging, special piano playing and singing, conductors of special groups, making many European tours. Music has been my life and now it is theirs to carry on.

December 13, 2005. LouAnn and I have a divine mother-daughter bonding which began on January 8, 1933, her birth date. This will be the same on earth and in heaven eternally. Amen.

Donald Heene, my son-in-law, is a most thoughtful, kind person to me. He is the manager of all my financial affairs, being sure of my best interests. Thank you.

Edith Mae Sedrel Le Cocq died August 12, 2007.

Mostly written by Edith LeCocq; minor portions by Marty Racheter 101207