Statz, Harold "Andy Lynn" (1924-2008)
STATZ, BIRK, COLE, NICOLAY, STEWART
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/11/2010 at 13:32:46
Harold “Andy Lynn” Statz - Oct. 3, 1924 - Jan. 10, 2008
Harold “Andy Lynn” Statz, age 83, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Thursday, January 10, 2008, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
Harold Matthew Statz was born October 3, 1924, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the son of Bernard J. and Victoria (Birk) Statz. He was baptized as an infant in the Catholic faith and confirmed his faith as a youth. “Andy,” as his family called him, spent his youth in St. Cloud where he received his education, graduating from Cathedral High School with the Class of 1942.
Andy served his country during World War II in the United States Army Infantry. After arriving in England, he was assigned to the 84th Division and entered the front lines in Belgium. He fought in and was one of the many soldiers injured during the famous Battle of the Bulge in 1944. After he had recuperated, his duty was to emcee the camp shows put on for the troops, thus his entertainment career was launched. Before one such show, Andy met Mickey Rooney when Rooney asked who would be announcing his entrance. Rooney asked Andy’s name and he replied, “Andy Statz.” Rooney told him that would never do in show business and asked him what he thought of the name, “Andy Lynn.” Andy thought it was fine, and from that time forward, he was known professionally as “Andy Lynn.”
Andy studied at Brown Broadcasting Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after the war and was one of the original employees of KAYL-AM radio station when it went on the air in 1948. On June 23, 1950, Andy was united in holy matrimony with Jeanne Cole at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hawarden, Iowa. The couple was blessed with five children: Margaret Ann, Mark Steven, David Michael, Daniel Robert and Thomas Patrick. After short stays working at a TV station in Quincy, Illinois and a radio station in Hannibal, Missouri, Andy moved his family to Storm Lake in 1956 where he was associated with KAYL-AM radio station for 55 years. Andy became a household name, well known in the area for his daily introduction of himself on the radio as “Mrs. Lynn’s little boy, Andy.” His lengthy tenure with KAYL was interrupted only when he served on the staff of U.S. Congressman Berkley Bedell for several years.
Andy was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake and served as mayor of the city of Storm Lake from 1975 to 1985. He was an avid reader on a wide variety of subjects. His family was always most important to him, however. When Andy and Jeanne’s son, Daniel, died in 1985, the couple took grandson Tony into their home and raised him. Andy enjoyed his family immensely and treasured the moments he spent with them. Andy will be remembered as a devoted husband and father, a loving grandfather, a caring brother and uncle, and a valued friend to many. He will be dearly missed.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 57 years, Jeanne of Storm Lake; daughter Margaret Ann Nicolay of Spandahlen, AFB, Germany; sons Mark (Jean) Statz of Boone, Iowa; David (Teodora) Statz of Storm Lake; Thomas (Winona) Statz of San Diego, California; grandchildren: Tony Statz of Iowa City, Iowa; Jacob Stewart of Storm Lake; Patrick Statz, Anna Statz, Nicholas Statz and Sarah Statz of Boone, Iowa; Benjamin Statz of San Diego, California; Matthew Statz and Cole Statz of Storm Lake; two sisters-in-law, many nieces and nephews, extended family and a host of friends.
Andy was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Daniel Robert Statz; and two brothers, Richard and Tom.
The Andy Lynn Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established for two area students wishing to enter the radio/telecommunications field. Please send donations c/o Andy Lynn, P.O. Box 578, Storm Lake, Iowa 50588 or drop off at any Central Bank location.
Funeral services for Mr. Statz will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 14, 2008, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow at the Church Cemetery with full military rites by Alta VFW Post #6172. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Friends may call on Sunday, January 13, 2008, from 3:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral home in Storm Lake where the family will be present from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
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