Luther Warren PROEGER

PROEGER, HOFFMAN, WHELAN, LINDERBAUM, GALLAHER, CONNER, RICHARDSON, DEHNING

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/1/2008 at 11:29:59

BELMOND - Luther Warren Proeger, 87, of Belmond, died Monday (June 30, 2008) at the Belmond Medical Center, following a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at the Belmond United Methodist Church in Belmond, with the Rev. Michael Druhl, officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Tuesday, July 1, at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First Ave. S.E. in Belmond, and continue one hour prior to the services Wednesday at the church. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Luther's name may wish to consider the Belmond United Methodist Church, Wright County Hospice or the donor's choice.

Luther Proeger, the son of Martin Luther and Olive Virginia (Hoffman) Proeger, was born on March 20, 1921, in Le Grand, Ore. In his youth, he moved around some with his family as they pursued his father's floral profession, eventually ending up in Iowa. He served in the United States Army during World World War II. During the time of his military tenure, he fulfilled the duties of a miltary police officer and spent much of his time guarding POW camps. His years of military service were from 1943-46. Luther was united in marriage to Mary Catherine Whelan on July 29, 1945, at the Belmond Methodist Church Parsonage. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Kathy and Barbara. Luther and his wife married raised their children and farmed just southeast of Belmond for many years. In addition to working the land and providing for the needs of his family on the farm, Luther had also done some carpentry work and had worked for many years as a custodian at the Belmond High School and the Parker Elementery School. His many years working as a custodian cultivated numerous friendships between Luther and the staff and students of the schools. There was a mutual admiration and respect for one another as well as a time for teasing and a good laugh. Luther retired in 1983. Luther had many interests and loves throughout his life the first of which was his family. He and his wife, Mary, journeyed almost 63 years down life's pathways together. He also received great joy in spending precious times in the presence of his daughters and the grand and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed times spent in conversation with family and friends. Luther was definitely a person with a green thumb who could grow the most beautiful flowers, especially his orchids, and various other flowers. He loved to garden, raising vegetables, and fruits, both in and out of his greenhouse. Luther also was very proficient in the art of rasing bonsai trees. He also enjoyed time spent doing some woodworking, a speciality was making clocks.

Luther was also very active in his community, as a former Charter Member of the Belmond Jaycees. the Belmond City Council, and was a longtime and current member of the Board of Adjustment and was a longtime member of the Belmond United Methodist Church. He had also served many years in leadership to the youth of the community as a Scout leader and had taken Scouts on trips to Ely, Minn., and taught them many life skills.

Luther is survived by his wife and life partner, Mary C. Proeger, of Belmond; his daughters, Kathy (Roger) Linderbaum, of Castalia, and Barbara Gallaher, of Newton; a brother, Linden (Carol) Proeger, of Prophetstown, Ill.; a sister, Betty Conner, of Alexandria, La.; four grandchildren, Sara (Mike) Richardson, Mathew (Hallie) Linderbaum, Seth (Jen) Gallaher, Jill (Ron) Dehning; seven great-grandchildren, Harrison Dehning, Ben Richardson, Hanna Dehning, Katie Linderbaum, Betsy Richardson, Will and Kate Gallaher. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Shirley Plagge.
Andrews Funeral Homes.

Mason City Globe Gazette
7/1/2008