Meyer, Bernard Paul (1923-2018)

MEYER, HEBENSTREIT, JANSSEN, MATTHAIDESS, WILLIAMS, CONNELL, SCHMITT, FEIDLER

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 1/8/2019 at 14:50:44

Bernard "Ben" Meyer
September 7, 1923 - November 29, 2018

Bernard Paul Meyer, age 95, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died on November 29, 2018, at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.

Ben, a son of William and Barbara (Hebenstreit) Meyer, was born in Storm Lake on September 7, 1923. He attended grade school and high school in Sulphur Springs, graduating from high school in 1941. On March 20, 1946, he enlisted in the United States Army and faithfully served his country until his honorable discharge on April 8, 1947. During that time, he served as a medical aidman thereby earning a Victory Medal for his service.

On January 16, 1947, Ben married Elaine Mae Janssen at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake, thus beginning a loving, supportive marriage of 71 years. Constant companions and each other’s best friend, they had an unabating love for each other obvious to all who knew them. Indeed, their marriage commitment set the standard for others to follow. When asked for the secret to their enduring relationship, Ben would only say, “Picking the right woman.” They were blessed with three children: Vicki Lee, John Paul, and Michael William.

As a young man, Ben followed the family tradition and became a farmer. After several years, he moved into the agri-business side of farming to work at Farm Service. A soft-spoken (a family trait often called the Meyer Mumble) man of integrity, farmers knew instinctively they could trust him. Even after he retired, he couldn’t resist the allure of the farm. He continued to help out part-time at Farm Service and in the fields. Keeping busy kept him young. He, always, said from an early age that he would live to be 100. In our book, living to age 95 rounds up to 100. A job well done!

An active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Catholic School Board, and the SOS Store for over seventy years, he, also, belonged to the Knights of Columbus. Known as a handy-man, fix-it extraordinaire, he could repair almost anything. As a young father, for example, he, seemingly always, had the front off the old washing machine so that he could tinker with it to keep it running. He was the true Maytag repairman. Additionally, he enjoyed golfing, walking, and doing yardwork and carpentry. In his later years, his passions were simple –- a good dish of ice cream and a game of cards. Good at counting cards and changing the rules as needed, he could, always, ensure himself a winning hand. Above all, Ben loved to spend time with his best friend, Elaine, and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Best known as “Gentle Ben” to his family, he will be, deeply, missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Elaine Meyer, of Storm Lake, Iowa; his children: Vicki (Richard) Matthaidess, of Early, Iowa, John (Joy) Meyer, of Estero, Florida, and Michael (Kathleen) Meyer, of Seattle, Washington; his grandchildren: Chad (Lori) Matthaidess, of Park View, Iowa, Tim (Sheri) Matthaidess, of Altoona, Iowa, Troy (Megan) Matthaidess, of Eldridge, Iowa, Benjamin (Jacqueline) Meyer, of New York, New York, and Emily (Nathan) Williams, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; and his great-grandchildren: Bailey, Cole, Emma, Hannah, Jaden, Jake, Sydney, and Trevor Matthaidess; as well as extended family members and friends.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, William and Barbara Meyer; his brothers: Frank (Julia), Edward (Nonie), George (Lou), and Robert Meyer; and his sisters: Margery (Francis) Connell, Sr. Mary Meyer; Catherine (Frank) Schmitt, and Eva (Leo) Feidler.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, December 4, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will take place Monday, December 3, 2018, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in STORM LAKE with a parish vigil service at 7:00 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus Rosary thereafter. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be made in his name to St. Mary’s Church or UnityPoint Home Care and Hospice.

Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes, Storm Lake, Iowa, 2018.

Buena Vista Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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