Reigelsberger, Joseph Leo 1926-2017

REIGELSBERGER, BUSCHER, ARNOLD, WOLFORD, WOELFEL

Posted By: Karen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/13/2021 at 17:13:24

Joe Reigelsberger, 91 of Rolfe, passed away on Thursday, November 9th, 2017 at the Pocahontas Community Hospital in Pocahontas, Iowa.

Joseph Leo Reigelsberger was born on February 18, 1926 to Leo and Eva (Buscher) Reigelsberger on a farm southwest of West Bend, Iowa. Early in 1929, Joe and his family moved to the farm outside Rolfe, where his son Mick resides and continues to farm today. Joe attended Roosevelt #1 and the Rolfe Public School, before graduating from Pocahontas Catholic School in 1943. Joe enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after his graduation and served during World War II. He spent most of his time in China, and was there when the Japanese surrendered. Joe was discharged on October 14, 1946 and he returned home to the family farm.

Joe met his future bride at a dance at the Ridotto. His fellow veteran Wayne Arnold introduced Joe to his younger sister, Norine Arnold. Joe and Norine married on August 13, 1953 at the Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church in Pocahontas. They lived in Pocahontas for a short time before settling on the family farm southwest of Rolfe, where they raised their 2 sons. Mick joined his dad in the farm operation after his high school graduation. In 1982, Joe became a Sales Representative for Pioneer Hi-bred. Joe retired from farming in 1991. He and Norine moved to Rolfe in 1992, but Joe returned to the farm daily to help both on the farm and in the seed shed. Every harvest Joe would arrive at the field to ride in the combine with Mick. He would then walk the field and if it passed his inspection, he would give a thumb’s up as he drove away. Joe took his last combine ride on the Arnold Farm this fall, and didn’t leave his earthly home until this year’s harvest was complete.

Joe was an avid St Louis Cardinal’s fan and attended the 1964 World Series Game 1 in St Louis between his beloved Cardinals and the Yankees. He hired a neighbor to run the combine, so he and Norine could fly down to St Louis with the Gunderson’s. When baseball season started, Joe’s schedule was adjusted so he could watch the games. He would even abandon his post in the seed shed to watch his Cardinals.

Joe was a member of St Margaret’s Catholic Church, Rolfe Golf Club, Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. He served on the Farmer’s Cooperative Board and the Farmer’s Grain Dealers Board.

Joe is survived by his sons, Greg of Fort Dodge and Mick (Sue) of Rolfe; his grandchildren, Jessica (Bryan) Lawson of Urbandale, Jon (Kristen) Kleen of Van Meter and Kaitlin (Crosby) Krischel of Havelock; great-grandchildren, Blake, Gabe, Luke & Ali Lawson; Mason Kleen and Graham & Jack Krischel; his sisters, Mary Wolford of Jacksonville, FL and Helen (Gene) Woelfel of Edina, MN; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Norine on March 9, 2012, grandson Joe M Reigelsberger on December 21, 2012, brothers-in-law, Wayne Arnold and Joe Wolford and sister-in-law, Marvel Arnold.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, Joe's family requests donations be made to the Rolfe Golf Club, Rolfe Ambulance or the Rolfe Fire Department.

Memorial donations may be made to:
In lieu of flowers or gifts, Joe's family requests donations be made to the Rolfe Golf Club, Rolfe Ambulance or the Rolfe Fire Department.

Funeral
Monday November 13, 2017, 10:30 AM at Resurrection Catholic Church, Pocahontas, Iowa

Visitation
Sunday November 12, 2017, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Powers Funeral Home, Pocahontas, Iowa

Prayer Service
Sunday November 12, 2017, 4:00 PM at Powers Funeral Home, Pocahontas, Iowa

Burial
Monday November 13, 2017 at Calvary Cemetery, Pocahontas, Iowa
Contributor: NLColes