White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Vaunda L. Kress, 84 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Saturday, November 8, 2014, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence.  She was born on November 23, 1929, at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton, Iowa, the daughter of William Darius and Cecil Joyce (McAtee) Pauley.  She graduated from high school in Brandon, Iowa, with the Class of 1944, and then she attended Gates Business College in Waterloo, Iowa.  On December 12, 1947, she and Glen Eldon Kress were married at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.  They farmed near Brandon until moving to Independence in 1994.  Mr. Kress preceded her in death in 2007.

Mrs. Kress was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Independence and the United Methodist Women.  She was also active in the Hannah Circle.  She worked with her husband on the farm and also grew vegetables and flowers in her garden.  She was the organist and choir director at the United Methodist Church in Brandon for 20 years.  Her family was always important to her and she enjoyed watching her grandchildren’s ballgames.  Mrs. Kress collected recipes and enjoyed reading, embroidery, and jigsaw puzzles.  She also enjoyed musical shows and trips to Branson, Missouri.

Mrs. Kress is survived by 2 daughters, Mary Ellen Akerson of Raymond, Iowa, and Rev. Carol Kress of Gladbrook, Iowa, 5 grandchildren, Andrew Kress, Eric (Danielle) Kress, Carrie (Ken) Gosnell, Julie (Kevin) Eastman, and Adam (Julianna) Akerson, and 3 great granddaughters, Lilah, Jillian, and Ruby.  She is also survived by 1 brother-in-law, Don Kress of Belle Plaine, Iowa, and 2 sisters-in-law, Wanda Kress of Winthrop, Iowa, and Evelyn Pauley of LaPorte City, Iowa.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, 1 son Charles Kress, and 1 brother, William Pauley, Jr.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Independence with Rev. Scott Meador officiating.  Burial will be at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, at the Brandon Cemetery in Brandon, Iowa. Friends may call for visitation from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12th, at the White Funeral Home in Independence. White Funeral Home of Independence is in charge of arrangements.