Harold H. Spies 1928 - 2009

KOESTER, SCHMELZER, WOLFS, RAIM, SPIES, TRAFELET

Posted By: Nancy (email)
Date: 9/24/2009 at 20:15:56

Harold H. Spies, 80, died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, at his rural West Union, Iowa, home following a lengthy illness.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. today (Wednesday) at Holy Name Catholic Church, West Union. The Rev. Dale Rausch will be the Mass celebrant.

Visitation was set for Tuesday, Sept. 22, with a Scripture service at 7 p.m. followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:30 p.m.

Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, rural West Union. Casket bearers will be Gary Spies, Paul Spies, David Spies, Cathy Trafelet, Mark Spies and Paul Trafelet.

Burnham-Wood Funeral Home, West Union, is in charge of arrangements.

Harold Henry Spies was born Dec. 24, 1928, on a farm northwest of West Union. He was the son of Jacob and Magdalene (Koester) Spies. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Eldorado.

Harold graduated from West Union High School as class president in 1946. After graduation he farmed with his father.

On Sept. 28, 1950, Harold was united in marriage with Betty Schmelzer at Holy Name Catholic Church, West Union. Five children were born to this union.

The couple farmed northwest of West Union all of their married life, and Harold was still active in the farming operation until the last few months.

He joined Holy Name Catholic Church in 1978 and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Preceding Harold in death were his parents; two sisters, Laura Wolfs and Hazel Raim; and a brother, Elmer Spies.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, of West Union; a daughter, Cathy (Paul) Trafelet of Hawkeye; four sons, Gary (Patsy) Spies of Elgin, Paul (Barbara) Spies of West Union, Mark (Joni) Spies of Hawkeye, and Harold David (Julie) Spies of St. Peters, Mo.; 16 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Fayette County Union - September 23, 2009