Rites Held for Art Teacher
Miss Effie Schuneman, a member of the Art and Manual Arts Department of Teachers College for the past twenty-two years, widely known as a leader in art education, and for many years prominent in art organizations, died Friday, September l, 1933, following fatal injuries received when she was struck down by an automobile in an accident near Hubbard, Iowa. At the time of the accident which caused her death, Miss Schuneman was on her way to Cedar Falls, near the close of the summer vacation period of the College.
Kindliness Endeared Her
Miss Schuneman's kindly, almost motherly interest in her students endeared her to those who knew her as a teacher. Her deep interest in children she poured into her labors involving the preparation of art books of an informal, intriguing kind that children love to use. This love for children she brought to her teacher-pupils, who now carry her inspiration on in the public schools of the state. She had just last year completed a second series of eight activity art books as co-author with Mr. A. G. Pelican. In addition, she was co-author with Miss Jane Rehnstarind in the publication of a series of work books entitled, "Art in Rural Life." Had Many Publications Miss Schuneman also published many articles and monographs in the field of art instruction, and was active in institute work of the Teachers College Extension Division. She was a member of the Extension staff during the fall of 1920 and during the year of 1921 to 1922. She had extension classes at various times from 1917 to 1928, and did general study center work from 1914 to 1927.
For many years, Miss Schuneman was prominent in the Western Arts Association, and was at one time auditor and later vice president and chairman of the program committee. She assisted in the organization of the arts section of the Iowa State Teachers Association, was for a long time identified with its activities, and on numerous occasions took part in the programs. Born at Boonsboro, Iowa Miss Schuneman was born at Boonsboro, Iowa, April 2, 1866. She attended the public schools of that city, and was graduated from the high school there. Before beginning her long term of teaching work in Cedar Falls, she was a well known instructor in the Boone, Iowa, schools, where she served for eighteen years, teaching in the Fifth Ward in the Franklin grade school and in the Kindergarten Department at the Washington school. During the later years in which she taught at Boone, she was supervisor of art. She came to Teachers College in 1911, previously having studied at the Prang School in Chicago and at the Pratt Institute of Brooklyn, New York. She was awarded the Normal Art Diploma from the Brooklyn school in 1914. After taking up her work at Teachers College in 1911, she continued her art studies during various summer terms. She was made assistant professor of art in 1916, and was promoted to the rank of professor in 1921. Enjoyed Wide Acquaintance
Through her service in 1910 as chairman of the program committee and auditor of the Western Arts Association, she came in contact with scores of the leading art educators in the country. Her activities also included membership in the International Arts Congress. During her twenty-two years of service in the Art Department, she made a host of friends in Cedar Falls through her numerous church, school, and social affiliations, and was popular both with the students and members of the teaching staff. She was a member of Chapter R of P. E. O. at Cedar Falls. Burial services were held from the Lawrence Funeral Home at Boone, Iowa, on Tuesday, September 5, 1933, with a large number of relatives and friends, both from Boone and Cedar Falls, in attendance.
This biographical sketch was adapted from an article in the Alumnus, October 1933, page 18.