Meis, Alphons F. 1896-1963
MEIS, ALESCH
Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/9/2020 at 19:00:08
LeMars Sentinel, March 1963
Al Meis, 66, Longtime Grocer
And Mill Owner Here is DeadFuneral services for Alphons F. Meis, 66, prominent LeMars businessman, will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at St. James Catholic church. Mr. Meis died Tuesday morning at Sacred Heart Hospital after several months of illness.
Rev. L. J. LaVelle will officiate and burial will be in Calvary cemetery.
Alphons Francis Meis was born in Dyersville, Iowa, Nov. 11, 1896, the son of John and Susan Meis.
He came to Remsen with his parents at the age of two. In 1901, the family moved to Oyens, where he attended school and later assisted his father in a general merchandise store. He attended St. Joseph’s academy at Dubuque, which later became known as Loras college.
His marriage to Marcelinda Alesch took place June 17, 1922, at Remsen.
Mr. Meis first started in business in LeMars in 1917 at the age of 20. His first grocery store was located on the corner now occupied by the LeMars Federal Savings and Loan building. In 1923 the Meis Cash Market was moved to larger quarters on Plymouth St. and 1st Ave. NW, now known as the Meis building. Mr. Meis sold his grocery business and expanded his fee and seed business in 1944. He purchased the Plymouth Cereal Mill property in 1950 and rebuilt the elevator and mill which had been destroyed by fire, thus preserving an industry here which had been established in the early days of LeMars. A bulk fertilizer plant was added within the last year.
Mr. Meis was well known throughout the community for his cheerful “good morning” greeting, no matter the hour of the day. Good morning became his personal trademark and the Meis business later was named the Good Morning Mills.
In recent years, Mr. and Mrs. Meis traveled extensively in Europe and several years ago made an around the world trip. Last year they toured the South Pacific. The couple shared their travel experiences with many groups in this area with hundreds of colored slides and personal talks.
Mr. Meis was active in business, church and civic affairs until his health failed. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, St. James Catholic church, Elks and Eagles lodges and LeMars Chamber of Commerce.
Surviving are his wife, Marcelinda, of LeMars; two daughters, Mrs. Nicholas (Alene) Scallon and Mrs. James (Mary Ann) Rawley, both of Marshalltown, and four sons, Mark, Larry, Richard (Dick), and David, all of LeMars. All four sons are connected with the Meis Seed and Feed business interests here.
Also surviving are his mother, Mrs. Susan Meis of Los Angeles; 27 grandchildren; two brothers and three sisters, Dr. P. E. Meis of Tucson, Ariz., Gregory Meis of Glendale, Calif., Olivia Meis Gergen and Martha Meis, both of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Arthur (Mary) Lang of Tiburon, Calif.
He was preceded in death by his father, John and one brother, Sylvester.
Friends may call at the Wiltgen-Luedtke funeral home after 2 p.m. Wednesday until service time. Parish rosary will be a 8 p.m. and Knights of Columbus rosary at 8:30 Wednesday.
Plymouth Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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