FARMER, Lewis Houston 1924-2002

FARMER, WATSON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/24/2009 at 20:56:27

Lewis H. Farmer

Lewis H. Farmer, 77, a resident of Lake Park, formerly of Charles City, died Monday, April 8, 2002, at the Lake Park Care Center.

Memorial services for Lewis Farmer will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2002, at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Charles City. The Rev. Diane K. Mitchell, associate pastor, will officiate. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery at Charles City. There will be no visitation. The body was cremated.

Lewis Houston Farmer was born May 18, 1924, at Conway, the son of Charles Wade and Adrian (Watson) Farmer. Following his graduation from Maxburg High School, he enrolled for the summer session at Northwest Missouri State College (now university) in Maryville. Soon thereafter his older brother Charles was drafted and Lewis enlisted in the United States Army. Lewis saw extensive action as a member of the 79th Infantry in the European Theater during World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge at Utah Beach and the invasion of Germany. During the Battle of the Bulge, he and his brother met briefly in France, since their units were quartered close to each other. Lewis was awarded numerous military decorations, among them the Bronze Star, the Silver Star, the Combat Infantrymans Badge, (of which only 200 were issued), and the Congressional Medal of Honor. Following his return from Europe, he resumed his education, and completed his bachelors degree in industrial arts. He taught at Weldon and Postville, and worked for a time at the Oliver Corporation in Charles City. He then retired, suffering from what today would be known as Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Lewis was a sweet, kind, and gentle man who loved his immediate and extended family deeply.

Living family members include his brother, Charles W. Farmer of Spirit Lake; his maternal aunt, Pauline (Watson) Klaus of Charles City; several nieces, a nephew, and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Mavis Smith and Marjorie Andresen, and a brother, Marvin Farmer.

The family suggests that memorials be directed to the Boy Scouts of America.

Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City is in charge of arrangements.