Stephen Henry "Steve" Umthun (1903-1971)

BENTON, BERGER, HAUER, HOLTKAMP, JORGENSON, POWELL, UMTHUN, USSERY

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:45

The Eagle Grove Eagle
Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, January 14, 1971
Page 1, Columns 1 & 2

Rites held for Steve Umthun, 68

A Solemn Requiem High Mass was held 10 a.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Church in Eagle Grove for Steve Umthun, 68, founder of the Umthun Trucking Co.

Umthun, a long time Eagle Grove resident, died at his home at 20 Parkview Drive late Sunday evening after a long illness. He had been bedfast for several months though was able to leave his home for short periods as recently as the Dec. 19-25th anniversary open house of the firm he started in Eagle Grove.

Rev. Frank Ostdick, a retired priest now residing in Des Moines, was to officiate at Wednesday's services. Also at the altar were Bishop Maurice Dingman, Bishop of the Des Moines Diocese, a cousin of Mrs. Umthun; Rev. Frances Phelan, Rev. J. J. Brickley, Rev. Albert Hoffman and Rev. E. W. Lechtenberg, pastor of Sacred Heart.

Father Ostdick was the priest who officiated at Umthun's wedding to Verona Holtkamp Nov. 13, 1923, at St. Paul, la., in Lee County.

STARTED IN 1946

Steve Umthun and his family moved to the Eagle Grove area in the early '40s and settled on a farm between Clarion and Eagle Grove. In 1946, Steve and eldest son Joe went into the trucking business with two used straight trucks and a corn sheller.

Today the firm employs 215 persons, has over 400 pieces of rolling stock and serves customers in 14 states. In 1968, Steve Umthun and his wife sold their interest in the firm to Joe and another son Virgil.

Steve Umthun was born Feb. 27, 1903, to Joseph and Anna Umthun at St. Paul. His parents, his stepmother Sadie Umthun and two brothers, Ernest and Joseph, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, four sons, six daughters, 29 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Daughters are Mrs. William (Jean) Benton, Fremont, Neb.; Mrs. Arthur (Doreen) Hauer, Eagle Grove; Mrs. Charles (Mary Ann) Powell, Eagle Grove; Mrs. Darwin (Bernadette) Jorgenson, Omaha; and Donna and Jane, both of Eagle Grove.

Sons are Joseph, Virgil and Mark, all of Eagle Grove, and Frank of Muscatine.

Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Emery Berger of West Point, la., and Mrs. Margaret Ussery, Fort Madison.

The Eagle Grove Eagle
Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, January 14, 1971
Page 13, Columns 1 & 2

EDITORIAL COMMENT.

Legacy of Steve Umthun.

THE EAGLE GROVE community and many persons around Iowa this week marked the passing of Steve Umthun, founder of Umthun Trucking Co. in Eagle Grove.

Mr. Umthun, age 68, died at his home last Sunday evening following a long illness.

His presence in this community over the last quarter century made a tremendous impact. Beginning as a haul-for-hire trucker in 1946, Steve Umthun, and later his sons, developed the business into one of the leaders in the midwest. The trucking company is one of the largest employers in Eagle Grove.

BESIDES his success in business, Steve Umthun was known as a family man, and perhaps it was as head of the Umthun family that he made his greatest mark.

His sons and daughters-10 in all-have continued to build the family business while working as community builders as well. The respect accorded the Umthun family is surely Steve Umthun's greatest legacy.

February 27, 1903 – January 10, 1971