Address
Locke on 4th
1519 W 4th St.
Waterloo, IA 50702
Glee Kidder, age 71, passed away on January 27, 2026. We take comfort in knowing she is now reunited with her parents and her son.
Glee was born in Waterloo, Iowa, on December 16, 1954, the daughter of Robert (Rudy) Schenk and Sarah (Jean) Bridges Schenk. She graduated from Waterloo West High School in 1973. During high school, she worked for a local veterinarian clipping dogs, though her love for animals began much earlier. She grew up with poodles and later in life adored her cherished Staffordshire Terrier, Otto.
After high school, Glee attended The Waterloo Barber College and worked as a barber before beginning a career with GMAC Mortgage, where she remained for 18 years. She later became Office Manager at UNI’s Iowa Waste Reduction Center, retiring in 2016.
Those cherishing Glee’s memory include her husband, Joel Kidder; her daughter, Kelsie Basinger (Chance); her grandson, Wyatt Basinger; her twin sister, Anne Nordquist (Doug); her brother, Robert (Bob) Schenk (Ja’net); brother in-law, David Kidder (Sandy); brother in law, Lonnie Kidder; brother in-law, Marc Kidder; sister in-law, Beth Kidder; as well as nieces, nephews, and countless friends.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents, and her beloved son, Seth Hamrick Kidder.
Glee was an outgoing, fun‑loving, and generous spirit who embraced life to the fullest. She enjoyed boating and soaking up the sun with family and friends at her and Joel’s lake house on Lake Rathbun in southern Iowa. Glee also had a beautiful spirit of adventure; She loved traveling and exploring new places. Over the years, she enjoyed many special trips to many places, including the Outer Banks in North Carolina, Washington DC, Mazatlán Mexico, Cabo San Lucas Mexico, Maho Bay on St. John, Panama, and Cuba. She also was able to explore several countries in Europe with Kelsie in 2001.
Glee will be remembered for the joy she found in cooking and for the way she brought people together through good food. She expressed her love in the meals she prepared and shared with family and friends, whether at home or on her many travels. She was known for “menu planning” well in advance of any kind of family gathering. As Julia Child once said, “People who love to eat are always the best people”, a sentiment that perfectly captures Glee’s generous spirit and her love of food.
In accordance with Glee’s wishes, she will be cremated, and no memorial services are planned at this time. Glee’s wishes are for her ashes to be spread at the lake house; on her sister and brother in-law’s property in Idaho; and at the places her family travels to in the future.
Joel and Kelsie are grateful for all of Glee’s friends and family members that were able to call, text, and visit Glee in person over the past few weeks.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 31st at Joel and Glee’s home from 3 to 6 PM.
For those wishing to honor her memory, please consider contributing to a memorial of your choosing.
Celebration of Life
January 31, 2026
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Kidder Family Residence
Waterloo, IA
So sorry to hear. I worked with Glee at GMAC out of PA, but spent a lot of time in Waterloo. Prayers to the family
I haven’t seen Glee or her sister for years. I’m one of the fellow barbers that knew her in our earlier years of the business. I am so sorry for your loss. May God put blessings on your family.
Sending our condolences to all who loved Glee. Knew her when we were kids. Our parents were good friends. Thinking of you all and sending prayers for peace and comfort.
Linda and I were neighbors of the Kidders on Jersey Lane in Waterloo.
So sorry to hear of the passing of Glee.
Berton and Linda Feuchtwanger
My aunt and uncle, Audrey and PJ Porter lived literally in the Schenk’s back yard. I think that I was in 9th grade when Anne and Glee befriended me, at first thinking that I was one of Audrey’s special needs students that she occasionally hired to do yardwork at their home. They both became fast friends and made my high school years so much fun when I would visit Waterloo (I am from Mankato, MN). I loved to go there on weekends. They introduced me to their friends, brought me to social events, took me swimming at “Splash” and taught me to drive a stick shift in the MG that they owned. In my defense, I believe that the car was used when they got it and the transmission was going out anyway. They brought me along on a winter sojourn to their Chetek Wisconsin lake home where I recall laughing from the moment I got in the car with them until we left. I treasure those times and those memories. Rest in Peace, Glee.
I just want to say to Janice and Mark if they see this – I really had no idea this obit was even out there until recently. Janice – your family was our family when growing up – Nita, Kenny and Russ too – Nita taught me and Glee how to drive!! Jean couldn’t do it. In your driveway in Washburn. Mark – wow – you were just what Kingbard needed – a young fun guy to help me, more than Glee learn to have fun. Glee was always the outgoing one. Remember the backup accident in the Vista Cruiser – I think Glee was driving – hit a pole. Some good times back in the day. Thanks guys for posting. No way to reply to each of you that I know of.