Richard Howard WONSMOS

WONSMOS, POLSDOFER, NICOLET, MEATH, JOHNSON, NIELSEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/15/2014 at 20:24:00

March 8, 1928 ---- April 13, 2014

Richard Howard Wonsmos, 86, of Thornton, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at the Iowa Specialty Hospital in Belmond. Funeral services will be held 10:30 am, Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thornton. Visitation will be 4:00 – 7:00 pm, Tuesday, at Retz Funeral Home, Thornton.

Richard was born March 8, 1928, to Albert and Bernice (Polsdofer) Wonsmos in Thornton. He was the oldest of three children. Richard grew up and attended school in Sheffield, Thornton and Meservey and graduated from Meservey High School in 1946. He was united in marriage to Darlene Nicolet on August 10, 1947, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thornton. Richard began his farming career as a hired hand and in 1954, he started farming north of Meservey on his own. In 1991, Richard and Darlene moved into Thornton, but he continued farming and enjoyed going out to the home place almost every day and also helping Bruce in his farming operation.

Richard was baptized and confirmed in the Richland Lutheran Church and became a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in 1947. He was very active in his community, including serving as a member of the Thornton Lions Club, Grimes Township Trustee, Thornton Co-op Elevator Board, Meservey-Thornton School Board, and St. Paul Lutheran Church Council. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, having coffee at the Chit Chat Café and co-op, and playing Santa Claus for may years around the community. But, his real pride and joy was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Richard will be remember for his sense of humor and kind heart, including telling countless stories and jokes to his family and friends.

Richard is survived by his wife, Darlene of Thornton; three children: Greg (Becky) Wonsmos of Frisco, Texas; Julie (Joe) Meath of Stockton, California; Bruce (Pam) Wonsmos of Thornton; seven grandchildren: Jason Meath, Kelley Wonsmos, Jeff (Jordan) Wonsmos, Amy (Trent) Johnson, Justin Meath, Erin Wonsmos and Megan Wonsmos; three great grandchildren: William Wonsmos, Caleb Johnson and Nathan Johnson. Sister-in-law: Dorothy Wonsmos, Clear Lake. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Lois Nielsen and brother, Wayne.

http://www.retzfh.com/10.html