Gertrude Marie (Steuerwald) KIEFER

KIEFER, RADER, STEUERWALD, MILLS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/10/2008 at 19:19:16

KANAWHA - Gertrude Marie Kiefer, 81, of Kanawha, died Friday (Nov. 19, 1999) at the home of her son, Ronald and Donna Kiefer, of Des Moines. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Ewing Funeral Chapel, Britt, with the Rev. Pat Odel officiating. Burial will be in Pilot Knob Lutheran Church Cemetery, near Forest City. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral chapel and one hour prior to services.

Gertrude was born Nov. 14, 1918, in Fertile, the daughter of Chester and Letha (Rader) Steuerwald. She received her education at Fertile Community School. She married Donald Kiefer of Pilot Knob in 1936. God blessed her with seven children, 21 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. "Psalm 127:3 says "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children are a reward from Him." In her younger years, she enjoyed caring for the elderly at a Des Moines nursing home. She devoted several years of her life at Kiefer Built. She was employed as their first painter. With an aerosol can in hand, she would beautify those steel stock trailers. She also delivered trailers for the company. She was a friend to all the dealers. She would pull into their place of business with a trailer and a smile. Many say she enjoyed working at Kiefer Built. I'd say she was keeping a watchful eye on her six boys. A mother has a way of looking over her children from a distance.

One of her sons said, "No matter what I've done or the heartache I've caused, she always made me feel loved and welcome in her home." What a blessing to have a mother who loves us unconditionally. Gertrude enjoyed and contributed to many pastoral programs. Her favorite song was "He Touched Me."

Survivors include her sons, Ronald Kiefer and his wife, Donna, Des Moines, Duane Kiefer and his wife, Judy, of Corwith, Truman Kiefer and his wife, Juanita, Kanawha, Kenny Kiefer of Charles City and Raymond DeSmidt of Des Moines; one daughter, Nancy Mills of Garner; two brothers, Darrel and Arthur. She was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Letha Steuerwald; husband, Donald Kiefer; three sisters, Norma, Ruth and Helen; three brothers, Ralph, Aldin and Donnie; one son, Arden; grandson, Roger; two great-grandchildren, Zach and Jenna Lynn.

November 22, 1999
Mason City Globe Gazette