Ordella J. Fossel (1909-2001), later Ordella Thompson, was born in Gilbert, Iowa. She graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) in 1930 and taught school in Dinsdale, Iowa. The collection consists of two of Ordella's scrapbooks. These scrapbooks contain black and white photographs, mainly of her family and of the classes she taught in Dinsdale. The scrapbooks also contain two obituaries of Ordella's acquaintances and two cards from the memorial service. The newspaper articles include two obituaries: one of a fallen soldier, Captain Wallace Breakenridge from Dinsdale and one of Ben Steinberg, the husband of Ordella's friend.

Ordella J. Fossel (later Thompson) was born on October 22, 1909 in Gilbert, Iowa to Amos and Emma (Larson) Fossel. Ordella had two sisters (Mildred Simon and Pearl Fossel) and three brothers (Kenneth, LeRoy and Alvin). Ordella attended and graduated from Gilbert High School and graduated (1930) from Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa). Ordella taught school in Dinsdale, Iowa and was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran church and Ladies Aid.

Ordella married (1932) Gilbert P. Thompson in Des Moines. They moved to Schaller, Iowa in 1944. The couple owned and oversaw the Thompson Hardware Store until they retired in 1978. Together they had a daughter (Norma Jean) and two sons (Don and Charles). Ordella passed away November 26, 2001 at the Odebolt Nursing Home.

The collection (circa 1915-1945) is composed of two scrapbooks each containing photographs, newspaper articles and cards. The photographs mainly consist of family and farm photographs as well of pictures of the Ladies Aid of which Ordella took part. Many of the photographs are of students, probably those Ordella taught in Dinsdale, Iowa. The newspaper articles include two obituaries: one of a fallen soldier, Captain Wallace Breakenridge from Dinsdale who fought and died on Iwo Jima in World War II and one of Ben Steinberg, the husband of Ordella's friend. Included is a card from Breakenridge's memorial service and a sympathy card.