Virgil Louis UMTHUN

UMTHUN, HART, HANES, BECKER, JORGENSON, CULMER, ARNDT, BENTON, POWELL, HAUER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/21/2011 at 15:26:54

January 21, 2011
Fort Dodge Messenger - Iowa

August 19, 1930 --- January 18, 2011

Virgil Louis Umthun, age 80, Eagle Grove, Iowa passed away peacefully at his home Tuesday, January 18, 2011, from an extended illness. Virgil was born August 19, 1930, at St. Paul, Iowa to Stephen Henry Umthun and Verona Wilhemina Umthun. The Umthun family moved to rural Clarion, Iowa in 1943 then to Eagle Grove, Iowa in 1946. Virgil was an honorary graduate of Eagle Grove High School class of 1949. Virgil married Rachel Ellen Hart in Gilmore City, Iowa on February 5, 1955. Virgil was a member of the Eagle Grove Rotary Club from the 1960's to present and as President of the chapter in 1995-1996. He served on the Eagle Grove water board for over 50 years, was President of the Eagle Grove Chamber of Commerce in the 1960's and again in the 1980's, served on Wright County Museum Board, Eagle Grove golf and country club board, Wright and Winnebago Council of Boy Scouts, Meals on Wheels and many other local civic and community support activities in Eagle Grove and Wright County, Iowa. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eagle Grove. Virgil was active in the Knights of Columbus serving as Grand Knight, achieving 4th degree and was a Faithful Navigator of the 4th degree - Eagle Grove Assembly.

Virgil was a lifelong member and supporter of the trucking industry at Iowa Motor Truck Association (IMTA) and served as President of the Association in 1977. He also served at the Common Carrier Conference, Irregular Route and the Truckload Carrier Conference (TCA) of Washington, DC beginning in the early 1970's and throughout his career and as TCA National President in 1991 - 1992.

Virgil is survived by his wife Rachel and 6 children: Steven (Diane) Umthun, Cedar Falls, 3 children and 2 great grandchildren; Jerry (Chris) Umthun, Johnston, 3 children; Cathy (Jim) Hanes, Adel, 2 children and 1 great grandchild; Greg (Trish) Umthun, Granger, 5 children and 1 great grandchild; Angela (Steve) Becker, Johnston, 2 children; Ken (Rhonda) Umthun, Eagle Grove, 3 children. Virgil is also survived by brother Joseph (Betty) Umthun, Mesa, Arizona; Bernadette Jorgenson, Omaha, Nebraska; Frank (Mary Ann) Umthun, Mediapolis; Mark (Doris) Umthun, Eagle Grove; Donna (Steve) Culmer, Bradenton, Florida. Virgil is survived also by Brother-in-Law Francis Hart, Gilmore City and Sisters-in-law, Wilma Hart, Humboldt; and Jeanette Arndt, Cherokee; and numerous nieces and nephews. Virgil was predeceased by his parents Stephen (1971) and Verona (1987) Umthun; sisters Jane Umthun (1993), Generosa Benton (1999), Mary Ann Powell (2006) and Doreen Hauer (2008).

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 22 at 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Eagle Grove, Iowa with internment at Rose Hill Cemetery and reception at the Parish Hall in Eagle Grove. Father Nils Hernandez and Father Thomas Hart, concelebrating. There will be a rosary at 4 p.m. with visitation from 4 7 p.m. at Foust Funeral Home, 103 N. Cadwell Eagle Grove, Iowa 50533 on Friday, January 21, 2011. Memorials donation to: Eagle Grove Catholic Church, the Anse-Rouge Haiti sister parish school fund, or Wright County Hospice of Clarion, Iowa.