Kowalke, Herman "Junior" 1932-2013

KOWALKE, RIDDLE, SMITH

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 8/22/2013 at 11:07:19

LeMars Sentinel
June 26, 2013

Herman "Junior" Kowalke, 81, of Le Mars, died Monday, June 24, 2013, at the Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars.

Herman Mathew Kowalke was born June 21, 1932, in Sioux City, to Herman A. and Bernice (Riddle) Kowalke. To everyone, he was simply "Junior."

Junior was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Hinton, and confirmed at St. John's American Lutheran in Le Mars. Junior received his education at Union Consolidated Schools.

As a young man, Junior farmed with his father for several years and also operated a welding shop on the farm.

He was united in marriage to Beverly Smith at St. John's Lutheran Church on June 6, 1952.

Junior drove truck and had served as a policeman in Le Mars. Most remember Junior as a plumber. He operated Kowalke Plumbing for many years and continued to do a little plumbing work in his retirement years.

Junior enjoyed woodworking and had a skill for scroll work. Whether it was his plumbing or woodworking, Junior was very meticulous in his craft. He was a "jack-of-all-trades" from his welding skills to plumbing to woodworking.

His greatest passion in life was his family.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Beverly, of Le Mars; a daughter, Kathy Sitzmann and her husband Steve, of Le Mars; grandchildren, Adam Sitzmann and his wife Carol and their children Kyle and Claudia, Travis Sitzmann and his wife LeAnn and their children Ava, Jefferson and Mathew, Tina Huls and her husband Tyler and their children Carter and Madison, Tyler Sitzmann and his children Hayden and Mason, Amy Jolley and her children Jenslee and Tristan; a brother, Marvin Kowalke and his wife Ruby, of Iowa City; two sisters, Ione Harpenau and her husband Don, of California and Marlene Wurth and her husband Nick, of Oklahoma; a sister-in-law, Jan Gaul and her husband Dick, of Le Mars; a brother-in-law Ron Smith, of Le Mars; and several nieces and nephews.

Junior was preceded in death by his parents; son Steven and a brother-in-law, Ray Smith.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday at St. John's Lutheran Church, ELCA in Le Mars with the Rev. Gary Landsness officiating. Inurnment will be at Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery, rural Le Mars. Visitation will be after 4 p.m. Thursday at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars followed by a 7 p.m. prayer service at the funeral home. Visitation will continue Friday morning at the church from 10 a.m. until service time. Honorary casket bearers will be his grandsons, Adam Sitzmann, Travis Sitzmann, and Tyler Sitzmann.