Hart, John M. 1924-2021

HART, AUER, BOWMAN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/1/2021 at 18:14:22

Obituary

John M. Hart, 97, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away on Monday, November 22, 2021, at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 29, 2021, at All Saints Catholic Parish – St. James Church in Le Mars. Father Bruce Lawler will celebrate Mass assisted by Deacon Doug Heeren. Burial with military honors provided by Wasmer Post #241 of the American Legion will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 28, 2021, at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present from 5 – 7 p.m. with a Rosary at 5:00 p.m. and a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to Mass on Monday. John was a casual man. Feel free to dress casually for his service.

John Michael Hart was born on June 13, 1924, in Le Mars, Iowa to John E. and Claudine (Auer) Hart. He graduated from Le Mars Central High School in 1943. John enlisted in the United States Navy on January 24, 1944. He proudly performed his duties on board the U.S.S. (L) (3) L.C.S. 92, an amphibious gun boat affectionately nicknamed “A Mighty Midget” in the Pacific Theater during WWII. John earned an Honorable Discharge on January 19, 1946. He returned to Le Mars and took a position at Culligan Soft Water Service, owned by his father.

John had two children, Michael John and Debra Ann. He married Gwen Bowman on November 28, 1981, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Sioux City, Iowa. John was owner and operator of Culligan. After selling Culligan, he sold cars for Pews and other dealerships in Le Mars.

He was a member of Wasmer Post #241 of the American Legion in Le Mars for 73 years and a member of the WWII Last Man’s Club. He was past president of the Le Mars Rotary Club, Past Exalted Ruler of the B.P.O. Elks Club. He was a member of the Le Mars Skeet Club and shot in Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota. John was a member of the Iowa team when they won the 20 GA championship title. He was a founding member of the Le Mars chapter of Ducks Unlimited. John enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger years. He was an avid reader and loved feeding and watching birds.

Grateful to have shared his life is wife of 39 years, Gwen Hart of Le Mars, IA; a daughter, Debra Weber of Ashland, WI; a sister, Jane Fornoff of Glenview, IL; two grandchildren, Josh (Monica) Johnston of Lodi, WI and Emily Hart of Washburn, WI; three great-grandchildren, Oscar and Madeline Johnston and Rohen Hart; a sister-in-law, Joy (Jim) Glaser of Champlin, MN; a nephew, Scott (Debra) Schipper of Shorewood, MN; nieces, Heather (Bob) Mickelson of Fridley, MN and Erin (Mike) Ellis of Golden Valley, AZ; and great-nieces and a nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Michael Hart; a sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Fay Wells; a brother-in-law, John Bowman; and a nephew, Mark Schipper.

Memorials may be directed to Wasmer Post #241 of the American Legion in Le Mars or the charity of your choice.