Cordes, Virtus John 1929-2001

CORDES, NOBBE, NIEBUHR

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 7/16/2014 at 14:28:02

The Brooklyn (IA) Chronicle
Dec. 19, 2001

VIRTUS J. CORDES, 72

Virtus John Cordes, 72, of Guernsey, died Friday, Dec. 14, 2001. at Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell.

A funeral was Dec. 17 in St. John's Lutheran Church, Victor, with the Rev. David E. MacKain officiating. Pallbearers were Mike Rummel, John Niebuhr, Joseph Niebuhr, Mark Niebuhr, Paul Niebuhr and Steve Niebuhr. Honorary pallbearers were Marty Bayer, Harlan Burke and Leroy Weiss.

Virtus was born April 23, 1929 in Pleasant Valley, Okla., to Carl George and Louise Sophia (Nobbe) Cordes, and was baptized there, April 28 of that year. He moved with his family to the Guernsey area in 1939. On May 23, 1943, he was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, Victor. He graduated in 1946 from Guernsey High School.

Virtus served during the Korean Conflict in the U.S. Air Force and farmed in the Guernsey area until retiring in 1991. He loved life on the farm, working outdoors, and raising cattle. He also enjoyed softball. He belonged to St. John's Lutheran Church.

A sister, Vera Niebuhr of Blairstown, Iowa and other relatives survive him.

His parents and a brother, Oscar Cordes, preceded him in death.