Eugene F. W. Baltz 1921-2003

BALTZ, SCHULTZ, POSEY

Posted By: SGF (email)
Date: 10/2/2003 at 05:45:49

Eugene Frederick William Baltz was born October 26, 1921 on a farm on the north edge of Postville, IA, the son of Fred L. and Lucia E. (Schultz) Baltz. They lived in Postville until 1926 when they moved to a farm north of town on the Pole Line road. Here he grew up, having attended Woodland School and graduating from Postville High School with the class of 1938. In 1941 he went to work for the Army Corps of Engineers at Onawa, IA on the Missouri River. After serving in the Army for three years during World War II he returned to Onawa and the River. In 1948 he moved upstream to Ft. Randall Dam.
On December 31, 1950 he married Helen Posey at First Lutheran Church in Sioux City, IA. Their two sons, Frederick and Everett, were born in Pickstown, SD. In 1954 the family moved to Pierre, SD for work on the Oahe Dam, returning to Onawa in 1956. After retirement in 1974 the family moved to Decorah, IA. Eugene enjoyed his family, the outdoors, painting, planting trees, visiting and joking with his friends, and playing the fiddle and accordion. Eugene was a member of Decorah Lutheran Church and the American Legion. He died on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 at Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home at the age of 81. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Helen; two sons, Frederick (Cindia) of Galena, IL and Everett (Patricia) of North Platte, NE; and by six grandchildren: Emily, Warren, Elliot, Ethan, Eva and Anna. He is also survived by two cousins: Lurene Walter of Postville and Marguerite Casella of San Antonio, TX.

©Postville Herald-Leader 2003
-source: Postville Herald-Leader; May 15, 2003