SCHERMER, Sr., William George 1928-2003

SCHERMER, SCHMITT, KIEPER

Posted By: Jeffrey R. Phillips (email)
Date: 1/22/2005 at 09:12:12

William Schermer Sr.
By: 08/27/2003

February 11, 1928-August 23, 2003

LATIMER - William George Schermer Sr., 75, of Latimer died Saturday, Aug. 23, 2003, at Franklin General Hospital in Hampton. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Latimer with burial following in the church cemetery.

William was born Feb. 11, 1928, in rural Latimer to Johannes and Katherine (Schmitt) Schermer. He attended St. Paul's Lutheran School for eight years and graduated from Latimer High School. On May 23, 1948, he was united in marriage to Lenore Kieper in Chicago, Ill. William spent a lifetime of working in the purebred cattle and feeding cattle business. He was a consultant for Iowa State University and hosted tours for many delegations from countries around the world concerning the beef industry. William testified at several Congressional hearings in Washington D.C. on behalf of the cattle industry and was called to the White House by President Carter and met with President Clinton concerning the cattle industry.

He was a member of many organizations and won many awards including 1982 Iowa Cattlemen's Association Hall of Fame Award; secretary of the first board of directors for the Iowa Cattlemen's Association, where he later served as vice president and president and was a chairman of the marketing committee; National Cattlemen's Association regional vice president and served on the NCA Board of Directors; founding board member of the Iowa Limousin Foundation and served on the North American Limousin Foundation Board of Directors; named Outstanding Limousin Breeder in Iowa in 1979; chairman of the Iowa Livestock Health Advisory Council for the Legislature; Board of Directors for the American National Cattlemen's Association; member of the Board of Directors for the former Iowa Beef Producers; president and treasurer for the Franklin County Beef Producers; Advisory Council for Kirkwood College in Cedar Rapids; member and president of the Board of Directors for the Franklin County Farmer's Mutual Insurance Association. He served the Franklin County Fair Board Executive Committee and livestock superintendent for 15 years; Franklin County beef project leader for 4-H; Franklin County 4-H Council Chairman.

William was a longtime member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, sat for 20 years on the Church Council, including the finance committee, Board of Education, Board of Trustees, and Board of Elders. He also sang in the church choir.

He is survived by his wife, Lenore; one daughter, Connie Pingel and husband Ivan of Latimer; two sons, William G. Jr. and wife Nancy and Bradley and wife KaRene all of Latimer; one brother, Edward, of Latimer; six grandchildren; two step-grandsons; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home of Hampton is in charge of arrangements.