William Kammerer (1928-2013)

KAMMERER, JONS, MATTICE, VANDERPLAATS, SCHMIDT, WITTROCK, NELSON, LEWIS

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

William (Bill) Kammerer was born to William and Alice (Jons) Kammerer, Sr. on February 12, 1928 on a farm west of Primghar. He attended country school until March 1, 1938 when the family moved to Everly, Iowa, and in 1939 back to Primghar where he graduated in 1946.

He enlisted in the Navy shortly before graduation and served most of his two years on Peliu, an island in the South Pacific. Upon his return to Primghar, he worked briefly for the O'Brien County REA.

On September 24, 19448, he was united in marriage to Nellie Mattice. This union was blessed with four children, two boys and two girls. "Two blondes and two redheads" he was often heard to say.

Bill attended Railroad Telegraphers' School and spent twenty years as a Depot Agent for the Illinois Central Railroad in Parkersburg, Matlock, Archer, Aurelia, and George. In 1968 he became a field man for the Farmers Coop at Paullina and Granville. He was named Branch Manager at Granville and from 1978 to 1986 he was the manager of the Early Co-op Grain Company in Early, Iowa. He then spent a year working as a Financial Officer for the Farm Credit System in Fort Dodge, Iowa and a year in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He retired in 1988, and he and his wife returned to Primghar.

Bill passed away on Tuesday, October 22, 2013, at the Primghar Care Center, reaching the age of 85 years, 8 months and 10 days.

He gave many hours as a volunteer, having served on church boards in Primghar, Paullina, and Early in his retirement years. While at Early he served seven years on the Land O Lakes Advisory Board. He also served on golf club boards in Paullina, Early, and Primghar. He was a trustee of the Baum Harmon Hospital for ten years, and served eight years on the Board of Home Health and Hospice. Bill was an avid bowler and golfer and was an enthusiastic fan of the Cubs and Hawkeyes.

Bill is survived by his wife, Nell; children Tom (Mary Jo) Kammerer of Crystal, Minnesota, Brad (Denice)Kammerer of Newman, Georgia, Ann Vander Plaats of Sheldon, Iowa, and Jane (Dave) Schmidt of Calumet, Iowa; eleven grandchildren and one step-grandchild, 23 great grandchildren and three step-great grandchildren and one step great great grandchild, a brother, Roger (Gaye) Kammerer, sister-in-law Leona (Dick) Wittrock.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law, Frances (Don) Nelson; mother and father-in-law, Mr.and Mrs. Robert Mattice, brothers and sisters in law Cora Kammerer, Dr. Lloyd (Ardeth) Mattice, Gladys (Art) Chalstrom, Pearl (Harold) Virgil, Dr. Roger (Opal) Mattice, and Rosalie (Harold) Lewis.

Funeral services for William T. "Bill" Kammerer, Jr., age 85, of Primghar, Iowa who passed away on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at the Primghar Care Center in Primghar, Iowa, were 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 27, 2013, at the United Church of Primghar in Primghar, Iowa with the Rev. Cory Flanigan officiating.

Graveside service was held at 1:00 P.M. Sunday, October 27, 2013 at the Prairie View Cemetery in Paullina, Iowa with a flag presentation by the Chateau-Thierry Post American Legion of Primghar, Iowa.

Paullina (Iowa) Times, 31 Oct 2013, pg. 4