Hemesath, Frederick John -- 1938 - 2008

SCHEIDEMANTEL, HEMESATH, SCHMITZ, HANKEN, MCVANEY, TRESSEL, UHLENHAKE, MATT, HARM, KNUTSON, DESSEL

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 1/20/2009 at 14:35:32

Jack Hemesath

Jack Hemesath, of rural Castalia, passed away Wednesday, October 22, 2008, at his home, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 70.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, October 25, at St. Francis de Sales, with burial in St. Francis Cemetery, both in Ossian. Msgr. Cletus Hawes was the officiant. Pastor David Lenth was homilist. Readers were Brian Hemesath, Kent Schmitz, and Jean Frana. Gifts were presented by grandchildren: Beth, Becca, Belle, Jesse, Brian, Colin, Josie, and Sage. Eucharist Ministers were Kenneth Schmitz, Bill Wiltgen, and Denis Miller. Altar Servers were Charlie Rothmeyer, Cody Imoehl and Eliot Imoehl. Diane Stee was organist and accompanied St Francis Adult Choir. Schmitz Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Frederick John "Jack" Hemesath was born at home, one mile east of Ossian on the family farm. He was the son of John J. Hemesath and Iola A. Scheidemantel. He was baptized and confirmed in St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, where he remained a member his entire life. He attended De Sales Catholic School and graduated in 1956. Following his education, he worked at home for a couple of months, took a drafting art class by mail, then went to Chicago to work for his Uncle Leo, in the landscaping business. Jack returned home, and two months later he entered the Army on February 25, 1959, serving as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, and was honorably discharged on February 24, 1961. After leaving the Army, he returned to work for Uncle Leo and saw the old crew again for a few weeks. He decided to return to Ossian, bought his dad's farm equipment and livestock; rented his dad's farm to start farming, milk cows, raise crops and produce hogs.

Jack was united in marriage on June 2, 1964 to Karen Ann Schmitz in St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. Six children were born to this union. After their marriage, they lived in Ossian for nine months, rented two farms from his dad, then moved to the second farm in March of 1965. Later, he bought a farm southwest of Castalia and moved there in March of 1971. Jack farmed and milked up to 80 cows for 40 years. After selling the dairy cows, to enjoy his retirement, he followed his passion which was a dream of flying. Being one of a free spirit, he flew his powered parachute with the rainbow colors every chance he could.

Jack enjoyed listening and dancing to Polka music, camping, fishing, gardening and he kept up with the 5:30 evening news and enjoyed reading the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek and his Ultra Flight Magazine. He was a member of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association), St. Francis de Sales Parish, Rosary Society, Knights of Columbus Council # 2073, (was Treasurer for seven years and Grand Knight for two years). He was a member of the Country Cousins (was in two plays and thoroughly enjoyed it) and was a Winneshiek County Farm Bureau member. Jack enjoyed his children and truly loved having his grandchildren visit.

Jack was preceded in death by two sons, one in infancy, and Darren at birth; his parents; one sister, Irma Hanken; brothers-in-law: Donald Hanken, Don McVaney, and Mark Tressel; parents-in-law: Philip and Florence Schmitz; and brothers-in-law, Karl Schmitz, and Ivan Uhlenhake.

He is survived by his wife, Karen, two sons: Russell (Mary) Hemesath of Clermont, and Douglas (Jenny) Hemesath of Waterloo; three daughters: Renee (Rick) Matt of Clermont, Naomi (Jeff) Harm of Brownsville, Minn., and Natalie (Dave) Knutson of Ossian; sixteen grandchildren: Beth, Becca, Ben, Belle, Brian, Damien, Jesse, Sage, Ryan, Darin, Jacob, Dustin, Evan, Tanner, Colin and Josie. He is also survived by four sisters: Elsie (William) Dessel of Ossian, Bernice Tressel of Omaha, Neb., Sr. Tekakwitha (Germaine) Hemesath of Waltham, Mass., and Colette McVaney of Omaha, Neb.; two brothers: Carl (Jeanne) Hemesath of Bonita, Calif., and Greg Hemesath of Louisville, Ky.; sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Uhlenhake of Ossian, and Sharon Schimtz of Clinton; brothers-in-law, Kenneth (Jane) Schmitz of Arkadelphia, Ark.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Postville Herald-Leader, November 5, 2008
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