Roy Lee Kirchner 1919-2009

KIRCHNER, NEPPL, KRIEBS, CARLSON, JENSEN, VALEN, ANDERSON, SCHAPER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/20/2011 at 00:23:34

Roy Lee Kirchner, the son of Ed and Victoria (Kriebs) Kirchner, was born March 15, 1919, in Estherville, Iowa and departed this life on Saturday, June 6, 2009, at Avera Holy Family Health in Estherville at the age of 90.

He graduated from Petersburg, Minnesota High School in 1937. Roy served in the United States Army from 1941 through 1945, during World War II. He was deployed with the 47th Engineers Company B. They were stationed in the Pacific Theatre, and Roy was awarded 3 battlestars. After his honorable discharge from military service he returned to the area.

On May 22, 1946, Roy was united in marriage to Lorraine Neppl at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Estherville. Following their marriage the couple made their home in Estherville, and Roy worked for Joyce Lumber Company beginning in 1946, becoming manager in 1961 through 1972. He then purchased the lumber yard in Fostoria, Iowa, in 1972 and owned and operated it until his retirement in 1984. Roy lived in Estherville from the time he was married in 1946 until moving to Spirit Lake, Iowa, in 1981. Roy and Lorraine then returned to Estherville in 1999. In his leisure time Roy had a great love for fishing especially in the winter through the ice. Whenever grandchildren or great-grandchildren were around he enjoyed spending time with them.

Roy was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Estherville where he was a life member of the 3rd and 4th Degree of Knights of Columbus. He was also a lifetime member of Estherville VFW Post 3388 and American Legion Post 91.

Left to cherish Roy's memory are his wife, Lorraine of Estherville; children, Dennis Kirchner and his wife, Lark of Rochester, Illinois; Tom Kirchner and his wife, Marie of Davenport, Iowa; Craig Kirchner and his wife, Jane of St. Joseph, Michigan; Michael Kirchner and his wife, Sharon of Santa Monica, California; Virginia Carlson and her husband, Ron of Firestone, Colorado; Carol Jensen and her husband, Bob of Estherville; Barb Valen and her husband, Mark of Estherville; Janet Anderson and her husband, Bruce of Papillion, Nebraska; 16 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Preceding Roy in death were his parents; one brother, Elmer Kirchner and one sister, Mae Schaper.

Services at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Estheville, Iowa; Interment at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Estherville, IA. (Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel website)