OBERMEIER, Wendell C. 1921-2003

OBERMEIER, HARTZ, POLZIN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/3/2009 at 20:39:28

Wendell C. "Obie" Obermeier, 82, of 54 S. Cedar Terrace, Charles City, died early Sunday morning, November 23, 2003, at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City following a lengthy illness.

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., Charles City with the Rev. Dennis Niezwaag officiating. A private inurnment will be held at a later date in Riverside Cemetery, Charles City.

The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2003, at Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., Charles City. Those wishing to extend memorials or an expression of sympathy may direct them to Wendell C. "Obie" Obermeier Memorial Fund.

Wendell Clayton Obermeier was born March 10, 1921, in Hallock, Minn., to Charles and Elda (Polzin) Obermeier. He was the second child of three children born to his parents.

"Obie," as he was fondly known by his family and friends, moved to Charles City in 1926 and was baptized and confirmed in St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. He attended Charles City schools and graduated in the class of 1939. Following graduation, Obie was employed at Farner-Hewett and Oliver Corporation.

On September 12, 1942, Obie was united in marriage to Irene Hartz.

Obie was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1942 and served four years during W.W.II. He attended Officer Candidate School and upon completion of his training, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. He furthered his military training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma while attending Advanced Officer's Training School and joined the 75th Infantry Division-899th Field Artillery Battalion, serving as Command and Staff Officer for three years, two of which were overseas. His division was involved in the Battle Of The Bulge. Captain Obermeier was recalled to active duty during the Korean War and was an instructor at the Officer Candidate School in Fort Riley, Kansas for two years. After honorably and faithfully serving his country, Obie was formally discharged from his military duties in August of 1952.

Following Obie's military discharge, he returned to Charles City, where he owned and operated Obie's Standard Service at 100 S. Main for 38 years. He retired in 1985.

In 1980, his wife, Irene died and on December 12, 1981, Obie was united in marriage to Marilyn Frank Winterink at the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Chapel. Throughout their marriage, Obie and Marilyn have claimed to be each other's "best friend."

Obie and Marilyn have been active in nature projects. Together, they published a periodical called Nature News, reaching several hundred subscribers. Obie loved bird watching and treasured their "bird rides" throughout the countryside and presenting informative bird programs for many organizations. Obie always had his camera in hand and won several nature photography contests nationwide. Obie and Marilyn entertained many bird enthusiasts at their home called "Willow View," where Marilyn will continue to welcome visitors.

Obie was a freelance writer with articles and photos in many local, state and national magazines and newspapers. Locally, he submitted his publishings in the Charles City Press and Nature News from Willow View. Obie was the president of the Creative Writer's Club of Charles City. Many of his articles have appeared in Update Magazine. He was proud to be the field editor for Birds and Blooms magazine for several years. Obie displayed and shared his photos and articles with anyone interested.

Some of Obie's other interests and leisure activities included cooking, especially meat dishes, fishing for bass and trout in Eastern Iowa, deer hunting, spending time with his family and friends and his companionship with his Boston terrier, Jetta Marie.

Deteriorating health forced Obie to abandon his nature speaking engagements and writing publications.

Obie was extremely well-known and active within his community. He was a member of the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, a past president of the Church Council and Brotherhood and past chairman of the Parsonage Building Committee. He was active in his memberships in the V.F.W., Elks Club, American Legion, the National Organization of Veteran's of the Battle of the Bulge (Hawkeye State Chapter), the 75th Division Association, the Iowa Gasoline Dealer's Association, past president of the Local Gasoline Retailers and a past president of the Creative Writer's Club in Charles City.

Obie is survived by his wife Marilyn Obermeier of Charles City; his foster daughter, Sally Young and her husband, Tom of Cedar Rapids; one sister, Colleen Darby and her husband, LeRoy of Minona, Iowa; one brother, Milton Obermeier of Charles City; his sister-in-law, Lois Kemming of Coon Rapids, Minn.; a nephew, Craig Kemming and his wife, Susan of Andover, Minn. Obie will also be sadly missed by many other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Irene (Hartz) Obermeier in 1980 and his parents.