Alton George Henkes, 94, Elkader, Iowa, died Thursday, September 25, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque, Iowa, following a brief illness. Alton was born on a farm near Luana, Iowa, on December 7, 1913, to Monroe and Louise (Wagner) Henkes. He attended Gooding Country School through the eighth grade. Alton was a farm hand for many farmers and worked road construction.
Alton entered the United States Army during WWII in1941, swerving in the 34th Division in N. Africa and was honorably discharged in 1945. He was a member of the VFW Post #4565 and the American Legion Post #106. He as also a Mason Lodge member. Alton enjoyed watching sporting events and hunting.
Survivors include his brother, Calvin (Shirley) Henkes, Farmersburg and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings, Alberta Rolland, Vernis Henkes, Marietta Scheffert and Helen Krambeer.
The funeral was September 29, 2008 at a church. He was interred in the Monona City Cemetery, Monona, IA. Leonard and Leonard Muller Funeral Homes was incharge of the arrangements.
Comment:
Alton was in some of the very worst fighting in WWII. Relatives state he was a different person when he returned home. Now he would have been treated with Post-traumatic Stress Symdrome. But that kind of therapy was not available in 1945 and they didn't understand PTSS.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Jack Messler Obituary
Jack Aaron Messler was born April 13, 1918, at Schubert, Nebraska, to Orrie and Lola (Adams) Messler. He passed away Monday, September 22, 2008, at the Good Samaritan Center at Postville, Iowa, at the age of 90 years, 5 months and 9 days.
Jack attended school in Nebraska. He entered the Armored Infantry Battalion of the United States Army on March 27, 1941. He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944 and was a prisoner until the end of the war.
Jack came to the northeast Iowa area when he accepted a job working on his uncle's farm. On October 17, 1941 Jack was married to Irene Katherine Suddendorf in the Evangelical United Brethren Chuch in Monona. To this union seven children were born. They farmed south of Monona and then moved to a farm south of Postville in Grand Meadow Township, near Gunder. Jack and Irene moved to Postville in 1973. Jack moved to Grand Meadows Glen congregate living apartments where he lived until 2003, when he became a resident of the Good Samaritan Center.
Jack was skilled in wood working and made many items for people in the area. He enjoyed the visits of his family and like to play cards.
Surviving are his children, Wayne (Karen) Messler, Boone, IA, Arthur (Jacque) Messler, Clermont, IA, Delores Chase, Priaire du Chien, WI, Harold (Diane) Messler, Dyersville, IA, LeRoy (Becky) Messler, Decorah, IA, Marilyn Swale, West Union, IA, Joan (Charles) Learn, West Union, IA; a sister-in-law, Ruth Messler, Colorado Springs, CO, brothers-in-law, Eugene (Maxine) Suddendorf, Postville, Robert (Rita) Suddendorf, Rochester, MN, and sister-in-law, Mardella Suddendorf, Monona, IA.
Also surviving are 16 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Irene, three grandchildren, Wendy Swale, Bradley Messler, and Aaron Messler, two brothers, Harold ("Eldon") and wife, Katherine, and Arlin, a sister Ava Mae and her husband Arnold Albert, and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Suddendorf.
Jack was a member of Community Presbyterian Church in Postville.
The funeral was September 26, 2008, at the Community Presbyterian Church. Schutte Funeral Home in Postville was in charge of the arrangements. Casket bearers: Steve Messler, Scott Messler, Michael Messler, William Harnack and Ryan Swale. Honorary Casket Bearers: Eugene Suddendorf, Robert Suddendorf, Cliff J. Olson, Jim Farmer, John Foels.
Jack attended school in Nebraska. He entered the Armored Infantry Battalion of the United States Army on March 27, 1941. He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944 and was a prisoner until the end of the war.
Jack came to the northeast Iowa area when he accepted a job working on his uncle's farm. On October 17, 1941 Jack was married to Irene Katherine Suddendorf in the Evangelical United Brethren Chuch in Monona. To this union seven children were born. They farmed south of Monona and then moved to a farm south of Postville in Grand Meadow Township, near Gunder. Jack and Irene moved to Postville in 1973. Jack moved to Grand Meadows Glen congregate living apartments where he lived until 2003, when he became a resident of the Good Samaritan Center.
Jack was skilled in wood working and made many items for people in the area. He enjoyed the visits of his family and like to play cards.
Surviving are his children, Wayne (Karen) Messler, Boone, IA, Arthur (Jacque) Messler, Clermont, IA, Delores Chase, Priaire du Chien, WI, Harold (Diane) Messler, Dyersville, IA, LeRoy (Becky) Messler, Decorah, IA, Marilyn Swale, West Union, IA, Joan (Charles) Learn, West Union, IA; a sister-in-law, Ruth Messler, Colorado Springs, CO, brothers-in-law, Eugene (Maxine) Suddendorf, Postville, Robert (Rita) Suddendorf, Rochester, MN, and sister-in-law, Mardella Suddendorf, Monona, IA.
Also surviving are 16 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Irene, three grandchildren, Wendy Swale, Bradley Messler, and Aaron Messler, two brothers, Harold ("Eldon") and wife, Katherine, and Arlin, a sister Ava Mae and her husband Arnold Albert, and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Suddendorf.
Jack was a member of Community Presbyterian Church in Postville.
The funeral was September 26, 2008, at the Community Presbyterian Church. Schutte Funeral Home in Postville was in charge of the arrangements. Casket bearers: Steve Messler, Scott Messler, Michael Messler, William Harnack and Ryan Swale. Honorary Casket Bearers: Eugene Suddendorf, Robert Suddendorf, Cliff J. Olson, Jim Farmer, John Foels.
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