Ernest Frank MACHA

MACHA, LESTINA, WASHA, FECHHELM

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/26/2016 at 00:33:11

October 10, 1912 ----- April 6, 1991

Ernest Frank Macha was born October 10, 1912 at McGregor to Frank E. and Mary Lestina Macha. He received his early education in McGregor and Pittsville, Wis. He then received his Associate degree in the Dairy Department at Wisconsin University in Madison, Wis. He was united in marriage to Vera Washa November 27, 1937 at Decorah. They moved north of Renwick where he owned and operated the Pioneer Cheese Factory from 1937 until 1967. The couple also farmed. He retired in 1974. He was a member of the Renwick United Methodist Church, where he was past chairman of the Board of Trustees; Viona Lodge No. 538 A.F. & A.M. in Renwick, where he had served as Worshipful Master in 1959; Eagle Grove Chapter No. 123 of the Royal Arch Masons of Iowa, Medina Council No. 26 of Royal and Select Masters of Iowa, Eagle Grove, and the Mt Lebanon Commandery No. 61 Knights Templer, Clarion. He was Past Patron of the former Gertrude Chapter No. 500 Order of the Eastern Star, Renwick, and belonged to the Eagle Grove Chapter No. 114 O.E.S., Eagle Grove. He was Past Watchman of Shepherds of Sharon Shrine No. 14, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem in Eagle Grove. He was a founding member and first president of the Oakdale Chapter of the Izaak Walton League in Renwick, and a state director for many years. He was the chairman of the board for the former Renwick Savings Bank for many years. He was a National Director of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, one of the first members and the first chairman of the Humboldt County Conservation Board and secretary of the former Wright-Humboldt County Dairy Association.

Ernest Macha died April 6, 1991 in Fort Dodge at the age of 79. He was preceded in death by his parents; one infant son; four brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his wife; his son, Ellis and wife Karen, Renwick; two grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; one sister, Emma Fechhelm, Marshfield, Wis.; and one brother, Edd Macha, Pittsville, Wis.

Services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, at the United Methodist Church in Renwick, with the Rev. Peter Siemens officiating. Inurnment will be in the Monona Cemetery, Monona at a later date. Masonic Services were held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 8 at Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in Renwick.

April 24, 1991
Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa