Joseph Henry KAISER

KAISER, LOHSE, LANNERS, CARON, SUNTKEN, CLARK, OPSTEDAHL, VANDEVERE, ANDERSON, CULSHAW, SNYDER, CALVIN, DAVIS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/20/2013 at 12:07:38

December 4, 1921 --- November 10, 2013

BELMOND, IA --- Joseph H. Kaiser, 91, of Belmond, formerly of Fulda, Minn., died, Nov. 10, 2013, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond, surrounded by the prayers and love of his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Belmond. Father Nils Hernandez will be officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by the Belmond Military Unit, will be in the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, at Andrews Funeral Home, 416 First St. S.E., Belmond, and continue one hour prior to the services at the hurch Saturday. Those wishing to send a card or other expression of sympathy in Joe's memory, may direct them in care of the family at this address: Mary Ann Lohse, 307 Fourth Ave. S.E., Belmond, IA 50421.

Joseph Henry Kaiser, the son of Michael and Lucy (Lanners) Kaiser, was born Dec. 4, 1921, at Lake Township, Lyon County, Marshall, Minn. He attended Marshall area rural schools. Joe enlisted in to the United States Navy on Sept. 25, 1942, at Mankato, Minn. He faithfully served his country during World War II until he was honorably discharged Feb. 19, 1946, as a boatswain's mate first class, at Minneapolis, Minn. Upon returning to civilian life he commenced his life long career as a farmer and also did construction work on the side. He was united in marriage to Mona Caron on June 10, 1947, at Green Valley, Minn.

The couple farmed together for nearly 40 years. Their union was blessed with five children, Carol, Donald, Mary Ann, Richard and Joyce. During their years in Minnesota, the couple farmed and raised their children in the Fulda area. Joseph was always a meticulous and hard worker, whether the task at hand was working the earth, sewing and harvesting the bounty of the crops, raising the livestock, or doing a construction or remodeling project for friends and family, he worked tirelessly with a great attention to detail. His philosophy and common practice of maintaining his machinery and tools carried through on all things he did including keeping his car spotless, his yard manicured, his garden immaculate, or his house in order. He believed everything had a place and should be just so. Joe's faith life had been very important to him and he had served on various church boards during his years in Minnesota. He and his wife continued their faith life after retiring from farming in 1993 at moving to Belmond, where they joined the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He was also a life long member of the VFW. Mona preceded Joe in death in 1996. A time later Joe became acquainted to Ellen Suntken of Belmond and the two shared many years of companionship with one another.

Joe truly enjoyed the simple things of life. He loved to farm, he loved his family, enjoyed his friends, and followed his faith. He and Mona had a mutual love of gardening and looked forward to gatherings and various occasions with family and friends. Joe cherished times spent with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was anxiously awaiting the arrival of a fourth great-grandchild. He enjoyed reading, watching television and was especially fond of old westerns. He was a soft-spoken gentleman. In more recent years he looked forward to daily coffeeing with his many friends at the Bloemke Pharmacy in Belmond.

All who had the privilege of crossing in his life journey will cherish memories of his pleasant and warm personality, his friendly smile, the twinkle in his eyes and that welcoming and captivating "Hello".

His memory will continue in the lives of his children, Donald (Pat) Kaiser, Mankato, Minn., Mary Ann (Larry) Lohse, Belmond, Richard (Beth) Kaiser, Des Moines, and Joyce (J.R.) Clark, Belmond; his twin sister, Josephine (Olin) Opstedahl, Souix Falls, S.D.; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, as well as other extended family and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mona Kaiser, his sister, Florence Vandevere, four half brothers, Leon, Lester John, Sylvester, Spielmann; four half sisters, Katherine Culshaw, Agnes Anderson, Cecilia Snyder, Marian Calvin; his daughter, Carol Kaiser; and grandson, Marty Davis. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, IA.

Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa
November 20, 2013