Love, Ivan Wirth (1911 - 2001)

LOVE, WAGNER, SJOSTROM BARNES, KRUG

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/23/2023 at 20:51:22

Ivan Wirth Love, 89, a long-time resident of Cherokee, passed away Friday March 30, 2001 in the Sioux Valley Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.

Ivan was born on Dec. 24, 1911 near Smithwick, S. D. to Lloyd and Ina (Wagner) Love. He was the youngest of four children. In 1912 they moved to Cleghorn area and in 1922 they settled in Cherokee. Ivan graduated from Wilson High School in 1929.

He worked in a Cherokee tire shop before opening his own tire business, Love Tire Shop, which he owned and operated for more than 30 years. During the 1940s Ivan turned his business over to his father, Lloyd, and sister, Dorothy, and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in WWII as a member of the 4th Infantry Division in Normandy, France. He was assigned as a forward observer and actively engaged in the liberation of Paris and the Battle of the Bulge. For his bravery, he received a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and several campaign medals. He returned to Cherokee when the war ended.

Ivan married Harriet Sjostrom Barnes on April 11, 1950 in Sioux City, Iowa. Between 1932 and 1964, Ivan also served on the Cherokee City Council for four years and sponsored a bowling team. He was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and was an enthusiastic worker for the Cherokee Depot Renovation.

Ivan sold his business in 1964 and enjoyed many years of retirement. During that time, he enjoyed fishing, sports, dancing and having coffee with friends. He also won several blue ribbons for his homemade fudge and learned how to cane chairs, another pastime he enjoyed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and one brother.

He is survived by his wife, Harriet B. Love, and his daughter and son in law, Linda and Peter Krug of Madison, Wis. And Norman, Okla.; two granddaughters, Sena Krug of Seattle Wash. And Erica Krug of Madison, Wis.; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 7 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Cherokee. Rev. Gary Armstrong will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Cherokee. There will be a family prayer service at the church on Saturday. There will be no visitation. Mr. Love was cremated. The Boothby Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.

The family of Ivan Love wishes to thank Hospice for their care and concern and also thank the friends who supported them during Ivan’s illness. The family requests that memorials be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church or the Cherokee Depot Renovation.
(Source: Former Cherokee County Historical Society scrapbook. Clipping hand dated 4-4-2001)