Karl William Bechtel 1911-2006

BRANDSMEIER, BECHTEL, CHRISTIANSON, CLARK

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 9/8/2006 at 13:16:32

Karl Bechtel

Karl W. Bechtel, 94, of Waukon, Iowa, died Wednesday, July 26, 2006, at his home in Waukon following complications of a stroke on July 18, 2006. Funeral services were held Monday, July 31, at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, with Rev. Richard Eick officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon was in charge of arrangements.

Karl William Bechtel was born September 21, 1911, on his parents' rural Waukon farm. He was the son of William and Mary (Brandsmeier) Bechtel. Karl was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ, graduated from Waukon High School in 1930, and attended a year at Waukon Junior College.

October 1, 1947, he married Anaruth Heloise Christianson at the Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville, Iowa. Karl and Anaruth farmed just east of Waukon where they raised dairy cattle, hogs, chickens, sheep, and crops. They retired and moved to Waukon in 1977.

Karl's faith was very important to him. He was an active, lifelong member of Zion United Church of Christ where he sang in the choir for many years and served on the church council. He also valued time with his family. He spent many years as a caregiver to his parents and daughter Alice, and loved to visit and tell stories with family and friends, especially his grandchildren. Karl also enjoyed reading.

Survivors include his wife, Anaruth of Waukon; two daughters, Helen (Leon) Clark of Hopkins, Minn., and Nancy Bechtel of Waukon; two sons, Herb (Nona) of Richland Center, Wis., and Randy (Sharon) of Cynthiana, Ind.; and 11 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Alice Marie; and an infant daughter, Phyllis.

Honorary casketbearers were Hilmen, Clifton, Carmen, Virgil, and Norman Christianson; Alton Herman; Norman Rema; and David Benjegerdes. Casketbearers were Joshua and Jason Bechtel, Troy and Terrell Clark, Curt Brandsmeier, and Don Dee.

Waukon Standard, August 2, 2006