Huls, FLoyd E. 1926-2003

HULS, HEMMERICK, ORBAN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/27/2009 at 10:38:33

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, December 1, 2003

Floyd E. Huls, 77, of Le Mars died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars.

Floyd Elmer Huls was born April 1, 1926, at Spink, S.D., the son of Ed and Reka (Hemmerick) Huls. He attended grade school at Spink and later at Westfield after the family moved to Akron. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in the Philippine Islands during World War II, as a motor pool sergeant. He worked various jobs involving hardware, plumbing and heating after returning home from the service. He had worked for Dirks Hardware in Akron, A & B Appliance and Hansen Hardware in Le Mars.

Floyd was united in marriage to Marcella Orban on Jan. 14, 1947, at St. James Catholic Church. Floyd and Marcella then established there home in Le Mars.

Floyd opened Plymouth Plumbing & Heating in 1951 and operated that as a family business for 51 years at three different locations in Le Mars until his retirement in 2002 due to illness. He seemed to have the ability to build or fix anything mechanical, electrical, or made of wood and passed many of those traits to his family.

He enjoyed family, working, fishing, bird watching, collecting and restoring antique cars. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. As late as this past summer he enjoyed driving his 1928 Ford Roadster.

Floyd was a retired member of the Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department and was an early director of the Le Mars Auxiliary Fire Department. At one point, Floyd and all four of his sons served the Le Mars Fire Department at the same time. He was the director of the Plymouth County Disaster Services Department for 22 years. Under his direction, the search and recovery dive team, storm spotters, security guards, and mobile communications units were formed. With his influence and support as many as six volunteer individuals who worked with Floyd have gone on to seek law enforcement careers.

He was a former member of the Tri-State Rescue Association, Plymouth County Firemen's Association, Iowa Fireman's Association, and an honorary member of the Plymouth County Peace Officers Association. Floyd was once honored as Volunteer Citizen of the Year in Le Mars.

In 2002 he was awarded an American flag once flown over the nation's Capitol and a certificate from Sen. Charles Grassley, in acknowledgement for his service to his country during World War II.

He was a member and served for many years on the financial directors board at St. James Catholic Church and was a member of the Gehlen Catholic school board from 1971 to 1974.

He was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, American Legion Wasmer Post #241, Plymouth County Investors Club, and the Tri-State Drive In Cruisers car club.

Floyd is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marcella; four sons and daughters-in-law, Dale and Dianne, Darwin and Linda, David and Torrie, and Dan and Margaret, all of Le Mars; a daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Randy Meister of Lee's Summit, Mo.; a sister, Lorraine Onnen of Grand Island, Neb.; a brother, Alfred Huls of Akron; eight grandchildren, Paul Huls and his wife, Melissa, of Le Mars, Jenifer Huls of Le Mars, Shaun Huls and his wife, Minisa of Hampton, Va., Cory Huls of Ames, Audrea Huls of Le Mars, Amy Huls of Cedar Rapids, Jana Meister and Danica Meister, both of Lee's Summit, Mo.; two great-grandchildren, Brekka and Briley Huls of Le Mars; and many friends.

Floyd was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Delores Huls; four brothers, Maurice Harms, Conrad, Raymond, and Duane Huls; and a grandson Jeremy Huls.

Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. today (Monday) at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars with the Rev. James Tigges and the Rev. Richard Ries officiating. Interment with military honors provided by the Wasmer American Legion Post #241 of Le Mars was at Calvary Cemetery, Le Mars. Visitations was after 3 p.m. Sunday at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars. There was a parish rosary at 4 p.m., and a Scriptural wake service at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Pallbearers were Richard Kellen, Dennis Nemmers, Rick Prouty, Bill Jackes, Matt Walker, and Jerome Dreckman. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Singer, John Hart, Derek Langel, Mike Anthony, Francis "Bud" Gaffey, Fritz Heissel, Pete Stoos, Bob Livermore, Walt Bartel, and the Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department.