Kieffer, Eugene Francis 1888-1964

KIEFFER, KASS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/5/2008 at 18:59:40

E. F. KIEFFER, LONGTIME REMSEN EDITOR, DEAD

E. F. Kieffer, 75, editor and publisher of the Remsen Bell Enterprise for 45 years and dean of Plymouth County newspaper columnists died Friday evening at his home in Remsen.

Although Mr. Kieffer had spent last week at home instead of in the Bell Enterprise office because of ailing health, death was unexpected.

Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Catholic church, Remsen. Rt. Rev. Msgr. F. P. Schultes officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery under the direction of the Fisch funeral home.

Mr. Kieffer sold his newspaper in January 1959 to Noel Ahmann of Remsen, but had continued to write his Yours Truly column and assist with news writing. In recent weeks he had been busy with Remsen’s preparations for a 75th jubilee celebration in August.

He was a member of the Iowa Press and National Editorial associations. His Yours Truly was reprinted throughout Iowa and was seen in some national publications.

Eugene Francis Kieffer was born Oct. 14, 1888, at Remsen. He married Emma Kass Oct. 14, 1914, in Remsen. He attended Marquette University and the State University of Iowa.

From 1914 to 1934 he was Remsen postmaster and during World War 2 he served as acting postmaster.

He was president of the Remsen Commercial Club several years. For four years Mr. Kieffer was president of the Remsen Independent school board and was a school board member another four years.

Mr. Kieffer was a long-standing member of the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters and Luxemburg Brotherhood of America.

Survivors include the widow of Remsen; four daughters, Geraldine Kieffer of New York City, Mrs. Georgia Peoples of Minneapolis, Mrs. Frank Hussey Jr., of Truman, Minn., and Mrs. Robert Schmidt of Des Moines; a son, Gene, of Des Moines; a sister, Mrs. Clarence Brotherton of Wall Lake; and 15 grandchildren.

~Source: The LeMars Daily Sentinel, April 27, 1964