URICH, Elmer J. (1908-2005)

URICH, KUDEJ, HEJLIK, FISTLER, BATHAM, BROZIK, BASERT

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 3/11/2016 at 14:42:44

Elmer J. Urich, 1908-2005

August 31, 2005

Elmer J. Urich, of Garner, died on Saturday, August 27, 2005, at the Westview Care Center, Britt. He was 97.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, September 2, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, with the Rev. Michael Schueller officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Carolyn Kumsher who will accompany the church choir. Ushers will be Robert Kral and Lawrence Engstler.

Casket bearers will be J.J. Urich, Roger Urich, Scott Fistler, Aaron Fistler, Jeff Fistler and Verne Hejlik. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner with a Knights of Columbus rosary at 6:00 p.m., followed by a Scriptural Wake Service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Elmer Joseph Urich, the son of Joseph and Anastacia (Kudej) Urich, was born on June 27, 1908, on a farm in Garfield Township, Hancock County. He graduated from the Hayfield Consolidated School as class valedictorian. Following his schooling, he worked at Sterling Grocery and Variety (where Goodnatures is now located). After four years at Sterlings, he went to work for the county driving a caterpillar and working on the roads. He also served as manager of the CWA (County Works Administration).

On October 28, 1930, he married Rose Hejlik. They lived in Garner where they raised three children. In 1935, Elmer became an employee at the George Newman International dealership in Garner. In 1939, he bought the business and Urich Implement started a forty year relationship with Hancock County farmers. Also, that year, Elmer moved his business to a new building where All Iowa Sales is now located. On January 26, 1971, Rose Urich died.

In 1972, he moved the business to its present location north of Hwy. 18 on State Street. During the move to the new facility the old building was destroyed by an accidental fire. On September 17, 1973, Elmer married Nora Fistler at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner. In 1980 he retired from the implement business. Elmer remained active in the community serving on the city council three different times. He was very proud of his Bohemian heritage and was very active in his church, community and business throughout his life. He will be missed by all who knew him.

He was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner and the Knights of Columbus. Elmer had been a member of the Garner Rotary Club and Garner Chamber of Commerce serving both as president. He also served on the State Tax Committee for the Implement Association, was chairman of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) and was one of two county representative to NIACOG (North Iowa Area Council of Governments).

Survivors include his children, Vernon Urich, M.D. of Surprise, Arizona; Gary (Sharon) Urich of Coralville and Mary Jeann Batham of Des Plaines, Illinois; step-sons, Phillip (Ella) Fistler of Rockwell City, Bruce Fistler of Russell and Mark (Dawn) Fistler of Joice; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; a sister, Frances Brozik of Garner; a brother, Rudy (Dorothy) Urich of Garner; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Rose; second wife, Nora on March 31, 1996; a grandson, Joey Urich; and a sister, Estella (Don) Basert.

©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005