Reistroffer, Donald G. 1920-2003

REISTROFFER, KEMP, OSTERT

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 4/25/2009 at 17:25:38

LE MARS, Iowa -- Donald G. Reistroffer, 83, of Le Mars died Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, at his residence in rural Le Mars.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Oyens, Iowa, with the Rev. Eugene Murray officiating. Burial will be in St. Catherine Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the American Legion Wasmer Post 241 of Le Mars and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Remsen, Iowa. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. today, with a parish rosary at 4 p.m. and a Scriptural wake service at 7:30 p.m., all at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Donald G. Reistroffer was born June 24, 1920, on the family farm in Marion Township, to Nicholas and Catherine (Kemp) Reistroffer. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school near Oyens. He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. he received a Bronze Star Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and several ribbons for his service to his country. He served in conflicts in the Philippines and Bougainville. Following his discharge from the service on Dec. 19, 1945, he returned back to the family farm in Plymouth County, Iowa.

He was united in marriage to Bonnie Ostert on Jan. 7, 1947, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Oyens. The couple farmed in Marion Township until retiring in 1987. They continued to live on the farm. When Bonnie became ill, Don was very attentive to her needs and was able to care for her at home as long as possible. She passed away Jan. 19, 1994.

He was a man of genuine integrity and a man of his word. He enjoyed fishing and spending time at the cabin in Okoboji, Iowa. He enjoyed tending to his garden and canning. He treasured the time with his family and grandchildren. he will be missed by his coffee buddies. He was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church, Le Mars Eagles Club, a lifetime member of American Legion Wasmer Post 241 and the Remsen Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Survivors include six daughters, Janice and Duane DeRaad of Le Mars, Joyce and Dennis Britt of Le Mars, Donna Welter of Longmont, Colo., Doris and Rich Severson of Le Mars, Pamela and Rob Arens of Remsen and Cindy Reistroffer and her husband, Thomas Hastings, of Grand Rapids, Mich.; 18 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister and her husband, Florentine and Joe Weber of Marcus, Iowa; a sister-in-law and her husband, Shirley and George Erichsen of Remsen; a brother-in-law and his wife, Gerald and Rita Ostert of Le Mars; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bonnie in 1994; two brothers, Ray and Lawrence Reistroffer; and five sisters, Rosalinda Rolling, Mathilda Thola, Loretta Ott, Luella Reistroffer and Delores Schaaffer.

Pallbearers will be Michael Britt, Ron Britt, Tim Britt, Corey Britt, David Hazel, Dan Hazel, Steven Welter, Donnie DeRaad and Matthew Arens.

~Source: The Sioux City Journal--part of the Darrell E. Obituary Collection