Joseph Halsch 1925-2005

BRACK, HALSCH

Posted By: michael (email)
Date: 1/25/2005 at 15:57:34

Joseph “Joe” Halsch, 79, of 1626 Black Diamond Road died Thursday, January 20, 2005
at his home following a sudden illness.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, January 24, 2005 at 3:30PM at St. Peter’s Church, Cosgrove with the Rev. Edmond Dunn officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery. A reception will follow the committal service. Friends may call Sunday from 3 to 7pm at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, where the Parish and Knights of Columbus will recite a rosary at 5PM. At 7:00pm a parish wake service will be conducted. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Peter’s Church or the Regina Education Fund c/o the Catholic Community Foundation.

Joe was born October 12, 1925 in Iowa City, the son of Joseph and Mary Brack Halsch. He was a 1942 graduate of St. Mary’s High School. Joe married Helen Flannery on June 16, 1949 at St. Mary’s Church in Oxford.

Joe always dreamed of being a farmer and at the age of sixteen started out as a hired hand. He had farmed in Johnson and Iowa Counties for many years and in 1954 established the Halsch Farmstead in Hardin Township. Joe had a great love and respect for the earth and was recognized by Johnson County by receiving a conservation award. He enjoyed the wild life that he watched from his home. Joe opened his heart and home to all those he touched. His work ethic and love of family were the most important things in his life. He was an avid Hawkeye fan.

Joe is survived by his wife, Helen and their children, Joseph (Lou) Halsch of Iowa City and children Ben, Elie and Sarah; Terry (Susan) Halsch of Hopkins, Minnesota and children Ryan, Jeff and Lindsay; Tom (Patti) Halsch of West Des Moines and children Katie, Megan and Luke; Jim Halsch of Greensboro, N. Carolina and children Brent, Patrick, Hiliare and Bryant; Margee Halsch (Dave) Shearer of Charlotte, N. Carolina;
David Halsch of Denver, Colorado and children Matt and Drew; Ann (Scott) Kessler of Iowa City and children Kelsey and Michael; Kate (Jim) Gerard of Iowa City and children Owen, Nick and Trent; Pat (Becky) Halsch of Iowa City and children Anthony and Elliott; two sisters, Catherine Mattes of Washington, Iowa and Marian (Bob) Gaffey of Iowa City; sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws, Chuck and Marita McGurk Eicher of Iowa City, Robert and Maxine Flannery of Oxford and Pauline Flannery of Iowa City.

Preceded in death by his parents, one son Gerald, sister and brother-in-law Iona and Kenneth Mann, and brother-in-laws John Mattes and James Flannery.

Joe’s work style was exemplified by “You can rest when you die.”

On line condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com by clicking on obituaries/condolences.