John Edward Earsa, 09 Dec 1923 - 14 Jun 2016

EARSA, SHOTOLA, KARAL, KLEIN, SCHULTE, UPMIER, CARLSON, HASEK, KLOUBEC

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 7/5/2016 at 14:22:40

JOHN EDWARD EARSA
Fairfax

Our beloved husband and dad, John Edward Earsa, 92, of rural Fairfax, left his earthly home Tuesday morning, June 14, 2016, at 5:35 a.m. following complications of a stroke. He passed away at Colonial Manor in Amana.

John was born Dec. 9, 1923, in his home in rural Fairfax, the son of Charles Linhart Earsa and Frances Anna Shotola. He was educated at Maple Grove School.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Mary Anne Karal Earsa; and his beloved dedicated daughter, Julie Kathryn Earsa Klein.

He dearly loved all of his family members including his many nieces, nephews, extended family (Myrl Schulte family), friends, lifelong neighbors and his sister-in-law, Betty Karal Clark Upmier. He is also survived by his cats that he loved so dearly, Grace, Dooley, Sophie, Baby Snow Pants, Momma K., Reggie and Kibby.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Frances Earsa; his father-in-law, Rudolph; and mother-inlaw, Lillian Karal; his sisters, Helen Carlson (Clair) and Anna Hasek (Jerry); brother, William (Irene); Julie's fiance, Myrl Schulte; and his very best friend and neighbor in his later years, Gary Kloubec.

John was an exceptional man, he was a sweet, humble man who never judged anyone. He would have wanted his legacy to be that everyone treats others as you would wish to be treated yourself. This is how John had lived his life. He was a dedicated father who never got upset at his daughter, Julie, who was always dogging his heels as he worked on his beloved farm.

John educated Julie as a correct farm father should, showing her the love of the land and how to drive the tractor and passing on his love of his livestock. John dearly loved his parents, who passed on their love of the farm and family to him. He loved music of all kinds and he enjoyed going to town and playing cards with the guys. He farmed with his brother, Bill; his father-in-law, Rudolph; and his father, Charles, through the farm crisis. When neighbors helped neighbors, John was always there to lend a helping hand to someone in need.

He regarded all life equally important, from that of his parents, brothers and sisters to his cats and his beloved dogs, Barney and Mick. He raised cattle, hogs, sheep, a few horses for Julie and a goat named Rudy. He loved his farm and he loved to mow his lawn, but his favorite pastime was to sit and watch the animals graze in the fields, the gold finches feeding, the hawks flying through the air, any newborn animal, the opening of new flowers and his garden growing. John respected life and all that it brought. We pray that his spirit will be with us for the rest of our lives, that he looks down upon each and every one of the people that meant so much to him. His daughter Julie will always remember the talks that they had together in the last few weeks of his life and being able to share some special time with him before he passed. There was never a better father and dad to Julie than John was. They were a father and daughter, but they also were best friends.

John will be laid to rest at 10 a.m. Friday, June 17, at Hala Cemetery. The family has chosen to forgo visitation and formal funeral services per John's wishes. Graveside services will be officiated by close friend and neighbor, Joe Gerst.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, that memorials may be made to the Johnson County Humane Society or the Safe Haven animal shelter or any no-kill animal shelter of your choice. If you have the chance, please give an animal a loving home. We are going to get that dog now, Dad!

Please share a memory of John at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

The Gazette, 16 Jun 2016, 8a