DREBENSTEDT, Gustav W. --- 1914-2001

SCHMIDT, DREBENSTEDT, RUEGGENMEIER, SCHIERHOLZ

Posted By: IaGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 1/8/2011 at 13:55:51

Gustav W. Drebenstedt

Gustav W. Drebenstedt, 87, of Waverly died Saturday evening, Nov. 3, 2001, at his home of natural causes.

Gus was born June 24, 1914, in Chicago, IL, the son of Alfred and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Drebenstedt. He was baptized Sept. 13, 1914, at Incarnation Episcopalian Church in Chicago, and confirmed March 21, 1929, at Zion Reformed Church in Waukon.

His mother died when he was four years old and he was raised by his grandmother, Emma Drebenstedt, until his father married Frieda Rueggenmeier. At that time, at the age of 9 years old, Gus moved with his father and step-mother to a farm south of Waukon. He attended Waukon Grade School and graduated from the Waukon High School in 1933.

On May 27, 1936, he was united in marriage to Helen Pauline Schierholz in the Lutheran Church parsonage at Rock Island, IL. The couple made their home in Castalia, where Gus worked for the Carnation Company, beginning as a field man and progressing to plant manager. In 1967, Gus was transferred to the Carnation Company in Waverly, where he was a supervisor for 12 years until his retirement. Helen died May 14, 1991, and Gus has lived in Waverly ever since.

Gus was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Waverly. He had a great passion for trains and had taken several trips by trains over the years. Gus held a tremendous respect for his duty to town and church and had volunteered many hours to assist both the Waverly community and Redeemer Lutheran Church. He loved his work at Carnation and to this day, continued to talk about the good times he had at Carnation and with the people he worked with.

Gus is survived by several nieces, nephews, and their families, as well as his caregiver friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his dear wife, Helen.

Funeral services will be Wed., Nov. 7, 2001, at 10:30 a.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Waverly, with Pastor Jim Carpenter and Pastor Marcia Kifer officiating. Graveside services will follow at the Postville Cemetery.

Postville, Iowa newspaper of the time clipping, from Dorothy Schave's obituary collection.