HERBERT WESLEY ZARWELL 1912-2005

MYERS, ZARWELL, JORDAN, SIRES

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 11/3/2005 at 19:26:41

Herbert Zarwell

Funeral services for Herbert W. Zarwell, 93, of New Albin, Iowa, will be held Thursday, September 22, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter's United Church of Christ in New Albin. Burial with military graveside rites will follow at the New Albin Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the New Albin Community Center and for one hour at the church on Thursday prior to the service. Martin Funeral Home of Waukon is handling arrangements.

Herbert Wesley Zarwell was born May 6, 1912, to Henry and Ella (Myers) Zarwell in the former village of Jefferson, Houston County, Minn. Except for his very early childhood in Jefferson, patriotic service to his country in England and Germany during World War II, and a stay in Thornton Heights and then Thornton Manor in Lansing, Iowa, near the end of his long life, Herb was a proud life-long resident of New Albin, Iowa.

Herb attended Jefferson School before his family moved to nearby New Albin where he graduated from New Albin High School in 1930. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Evangelical and Reformed Church in New Albin.

Herb married his childhood sweetheart and lifelong partner, Helen (Jordan) December 24, 1942, in St. Charles, Mo., after Herb enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He was soon stationed in England with the 8th Army Air Force, where he helped his beloved country defeat Hitler and the Nazi's.

Herb passed away Monday, September 19, 2005, at Thornton Manor, Lansing, with his sons and their wives at his side. He was preceded in death by his adoring wife Helen (Feb. 24, 2005), their oldest son Neil (Aug. 9, 1954), and his siblings, Floyd (Malita) Zarwell and Gladys (Raymond) Sires.

Herb is survived by his eternally appreciative sons Ric (Betty) of Lansing and Ron (Donna) of Pontiac, Ill. He is further survived by nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

After returning from the war, Herb worked at various jobs in New Albin before serving 34 years with the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement August 4, 1978. His rural mail route included some of the most beautiful parts of both Iowa and Minnesota and served many of his numerous lifelong friends. Herb also drove a school bus for a number of years, serving families living near these same scenic roads.

Herb and Helen enjoyed many family driving trips to visit various parts of the United States and Canada. These trips opened a world of life-long travel and adventure for their sons Ric and Ron. For several years the family enjoyed lengthy summertime vacations at a favorite lake in Northern Minnesota. During other years they enjoyed the wildlife and scenery of numerous out of the way locations throughout the west. In later years, Herb and Helen continued to travel for visits to their sons and families wherever they lived.

Herb Zarwell held a great and enduring love of the beautiful Mississippi River and the landscape of the Tri-State region. In his youth, he developed exceptional hunting and fishing skills, and especially enjoyed observing and hunting ducks and geese. Herb doted on Helen throughout their six-plus decades together. He was a man of many skills and thrived on being a father and sharing his knowledge and interests with his sons to whom he was devoted. Ric and Ron treasure every moment of time they spent with their exemplary father.

Born before Arizona became a state, Herb was a voracious reader and an astute observer of world history, geography, and U.S. politics throughout his long life. He was a very patriotic citizen.

Herb was a faithful Life Member of New Albin VFW Post 5603, and was a member of Senior Citizens. He especially enjoyed the town's morning “coffee club” where world problems were discussed and solutions were identified. Herb was a man of strong empathy and gentleness. He battled his health problems with great strength and dignity, and was always a model patient. This appreciative soul was popular with staff at Gundersen Lutheran, La Crosse, and Thornton Heights and Thornton Manor, Lansing. A wonderful storyteller, Herb enjoyed sharing ideas and memories until the very end, and he was an inspiration to many people.

Throughout his long life, Herb always gave priority to his beloved wife and sons, and provided them with happiness, health, and well-being. He was also helpful and generous to many other family members and friends. No person could possibly ask for a truer husband, father, grandfather, or friend. Herb will be forever missed by all who knew him.

Honorary casketbearers are Ray Whalen, Glenn Buege, Ray Mulholland, Lawrence Mitchell, Joe Reburn, and Roy Moore. Casketbearers are Joel and Lynn Sires, Troy, Kyle and David Zarwell, and David Lampat.

Waukon Standard, September 20, 2005