Louis "Pete" Obye 1909-2002

OBYE, NOURSE, TOMPKINS, CROSON, MINNICH, STODDARD, MCCOURT

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 5/6/2012 at 20:49:52

Louis Obye
Estherville – Funeral services for Louis “Pete” Obye, 92, of Estherville will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19 at the United Methodist Church in Estherville. He died on Tuesday, Jan 15, 2002 at Avera Holy Family Health in Estherville.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18 at the Henry-Olson-Fuhrman Funeral Home in Estherville.

Pete was born in Calhoun County on July 21, 1909. He moved to Estherville with his family 1918. In September of 1929 Pete began a clerk position in the local post office. He was appointed Postmaster in July 1952 and served in this position until his retirement in February 1971.

Pete was married to Ruth Nourse in 1930 and they had one daughter, Kathryn Jane.

Pete was very active in the Methodist Church. He loved music and sang in the Estherville Men’s Chorus and church choir for years. He devoted many hours to the Estherville Historical Society recently receiving a lifetime membership.

Pete was a founder of the local Dinner Date and supported the program throughout the years. He participated in the Emmet County Council on Aging for many years receiving their Outstanding Senior Citizen Award in 1979. In 1983 Pete was awarded the Outstanding Older Iowan Award from Governor Terry Branstad.

Pete is survived by his daughter, Kathryn Tompkins of Estherville; sister, Beck Croson of Marshalltown; grandchildren, Diane Minnich-Stoddard of Boise, Idaho, Nancy McCourt of Buffalo, Minn., and Suzanne Minnich of San Jose, Calif.; great grandchildren, Kevin McCourt, Kelli McCourt and Stephanie Stoddard; four step-grandchildren and eight step-great grandchildren.

His wife, Ruth, his parents and eight brothers and sisters preceded him in death. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, January 17, 2002)