Petsche, Lawrence H. (1919 – 2012)

PETSCHE, WINGERT, SCHMITZ, JACOBY

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 8/26/2013 at 19:24:33

Name of deceased: Lawrence Herman Petsche

Aged: 93 yrs, 4 mo, 16 days

Residence: Harlan, IA

Born: May 13, 1919, on the family farm 4 miles SE of Westphalia, IA

Died: Sep. 29, 2012, Westphalia, IA

Funeral services: Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012; St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Harlan, IA; Rev. John Frost officiated. Burial was at the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, IA.

Survived by: Wife of 71 years, Helen Petsche of Harlan, IA; children, Sandy (spouse, Bill) Wingert of Harlan, IA, Joan (spouse, Marvin) Schmitz of Harlan, Sally (spouse, Bob) Wingert of Red Oak, IA, Lanny Petsche (spouse, Vicki) of Harlan, and Allen Petsche (spouse, Sandi) of Harlan, IA; 15 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, John and Elizabeth (nee Jacoby) Petsche; infant daughter, Mary; grandson, David Wingert; silbings, Agnes, Estelle, Cecelia, Mike, George, Tony, Frank, Leo, and John

Education: Lawrence attended Country School No. 3 in Lincoln Township (Shelby County, IA) for 1 year. He then attended Catholic school in a Westphalia home while a new school was being built. He played basketball and baseball in high school and graduated from St. Boniface Catholic School, Class of 1938.

Religious affiliation: baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, IA.

Military service: no information provided

Marriage: Helen Musich; September 16, 1941; location not provided

Employment: As a teenager, Lawrence worked at a harness shop in Harlan, learning skills that helped him when he began farming on his own. He broke horses for area farmers as well as helped his dad on the farm. After their marriage, Lawrence and Helen lived with his parents on a farm near Irwin, IA for 6 months before moving to a farm in Harrison County (IA). He bought two horses from his dad to start farming with. He also bought his first car shortly after they were married - a 1926 Chevrolet Coupe. They lived on a farm near Portsmouth, IA before settling near Westphalia where he farmed for 57 years. In 1947, Lawrence bought his first tractor; it had steel wheels. In 1949, he bought a new tractor that had rubber tires, but continued to farm with his horses, especially to pick corn.

Hobbies/Interests: He was a gentle but hard-working man who valued his independence and enjoyed his family. He was a devoted fan of the New York Yankees throughout his life

Sources: pauleyjones.com