Kapler, Norbert 1916 - 2015
KAPLER, FERRIE, HUBER, POCHOBRASKY, SHATEK, KNUTSON, FREIN, ECKERMAN, FITZPATRICK, KLIMESH, HAYEK, WAGNER
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/21/2015 at 12:11:50
Norbert Kapler, age 99, of Spillville, IA, died Thursday, August 13, 2015 at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah, IA.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, IA, with Father Robert Gross presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., on Monday, August 17, 2015, at the Balik Funeral Home, 211 South Main Street, Spillville, IA, and also after 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday morning at the church. There will be a rosary at 4:30 and a scripture service at 7:00 on Monday at the funeral home.
Norbert was born on a farm northwest of Cresco on May 29, 1916, son of Adolph and Catherine Ferrie. He married Louise Huber on June 1, 1942 in Spillville. He attended St, Joseph grade school in Cresco. He helped on the family farm and owned and operated a service station for several years in Cresco. After he married, Norb and Louise moved to Cedar Rapids where he worked at the Wilson Meat Packing Plant and with Century Vault owned and operated by his brother-in law, Chuck Pochobrasky. He received his draft notification on Louise’s birthday, October 29th 1942. He was inducted into the army in March 1943 and served with the 8th Armored Division as a radio operator on the front lines primarily in Gemany. Known as “Sauce” to his fellow service members he was honorably discharged in Nov, 1946 with 2 Overseas Bars, the American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal w/3 bronze battle stars and the World War ll Victory Medal. After his discharge he farmed the Michael Huber homestead with Louise. Norb was a master of all, with a pliers and knife in his tool belt, repairs and cat dispersal were readily available. He could build anything from wood, be it furniture or birdhouses. He was a stranger to no one, quick to put a smile on your face with a good Ole and Lena joke and his sharp sense of humor. Many hours were spent on the Mississippi in the backwaters by Harpers Ferry fishing bullhead in their homemade boat. More recently many happy hours were spent with the local Rooster and Hen’s Club. He was a member of the NFO, VFW, St. Wenceslaus Holy Name, and American Legion.
Norbert is survived by his daughter: Lori (Roger) Shatek, Fort Atkinson, Iowa. Five grandchildren: Leah Knutson; Neil Shatek, Katie Shatek, Paul Shatek and Alex Shatek. Four great grandchildren: EllieRose Knutson, Benjamin Knutson, CharlieAnn Knutson and Blaire Frein. One sister: Zinetta Eckerman, Waterloo, IA.
Norbert was preceded in death by his wife: Louise, parents: Adolph and Catherine (Ferrie) Kapler. Three brothers: Francis (Shirley) Kapler, Clem (Margaret) Kapler and Urban (Dorothy) Kapler. Two sisters: Margaret ( Jim ) Fitzpatrick and Sister Elwyn Kapler. Father and Mother-in-law: George and Rose (Klimesh) Huber. Three sisters-in-law: Henrietta (Chuck) Pochobrasky, Evelyn (Clarence) Hayek and Gladys (Edward) Wagner. One brother-in-law: George (Rita) Huber.
Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database
St. Wenceslaus Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen