William Karl "Bill" Volkert Jr. 1922 - 2016

DENKER, VOLKERT, SEVERSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/12/2017 at 22:32:22

Sioux City Journal
24 December 2016

CUSHING, Iowa | William Karl "Bill" Volkert Jr., formerly of Cushing, died on Dec. 20, 2016, in Portland, Ore.

A celebration of Bill's life will be 11 a.m. Jan. 7 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Gresham, Ore., with the Revs. Curt Zieske and Jerry Furgurson officiating. Arrangements in Oregon are under the direction of Bateman Carroll Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held at a later date in Iowa. Arrangements in Iowa are under the direction of Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home in Correctionville, Iowa. Online condolences can be made at nicklasdjensenfh.com.

Bill was born on July 27, 1922, in Battle Creek, Iowa, to William K. Volkert Sr. and Grace (Denker) Volkert. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church. He graduated from Cushing Consolidated School. He entered into a farming partnership with his father in 1942. Bill was passionate about conserving the soil and was an early advocate of contouring, terracing, and tiling. In 1982, Bill was awarded the district Marc Cox award for conservation.

Bill married Lois G. Severson at St. John Lutheran Church on Dec. 27, 1943. Three children were born to this union, Jon Douglas (Guyla) Volkert of Chicago, Ill., Thomas Dean (Sandra) Volkert of Correctionville, and Dana Jo (Victor) Olson of Colorado Springs, Colo. Lois taught school in Cushing until her retirement. Bill and Lois were foster parents for many years. Lois passed away on June 10, 2002.

On July 27, 2002, his 80th birthday, Bill fulfilled a long-held desire and went skydiving in Minnesota. He also skydived in Oregon on his 85th birthday.

Bill married Dana (Severson) Chidester on May 17, 2003. After their marriage in Sioux City, Bill moved to Gresham, Ore. From this union, Bill became a father to Steve (Deborah) Chidester of Pleasanton, Calif., and Susan (Matt) Danielski of Gresham. Bill joined Trinity Lutheran Church and he and Dana volunteered at Zarephath Pantry for more than ten years.

Bill is survived by his wife, Dana; sons, Jon and his wife, Guyla of Chicago, and Tom and his wife, Sandra of Correctionville; daughter Dana Jo and her husband, Victor of Colorado Springs; stepson, Steve and his wife, Deborah of Pleasanton; stepdaughter, Susan and her husband, Matt of Gresham; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and special family friends, Brent and Crystal Renken and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Lois; and many cousins and friends.