Pike Township Family Stories
ERNEST AND GLORIS (LOWE) VETTER
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, pages 312-313
By Jane Adams VetterErnest Vetter and Gloris Lowe were married on 3 January 1942. Mr. Vetter was a widower with four children, his wife passing away in 1930. Mrs. Lowe was a widow with four children, her husband passing away in 1937.
Ernest (or Ernie, as he was better known) came to the Nichols area from Illinois in 1926. Gloris had lived in the Columbus Junction and Conesville area, where she was telephone operator at Conesville for several years following her husband’s death.
Mr. Vetter farmed in the Nichols area until 1949. He served as Vice Chairman of the Muscatine county AAA board from 1938-1948. Both Mr. and Mrs. Vetter were members of the Nichols Methodist church. Mr. Vetter was a 50-year member of the Masonic lodge, and they both were members of the Nichols Order of the Eastern Star.
In 1949 the Vetters left the farm and moved to Nichols, purchasing the home once owned by Burt Poole. They went into partnership with Mrs. Vetter’s son, Paul Lowe, who had purchased a local grocery store, locker and butchering plant from Floyd Kirchner. Later they assumed full ownership of the grocery and locker plant. Later, due to failing health, Ernie sold the grocery to Mr. and Mrs. Rathmel from Winfield, who in turn sold the grocery to Hubert Brugman and Lois Brugman of Nichols. After selling the business, Vetters owned and operated a creamery and egg produce. As large supermarkets came on the scene, Brugmans decided to quit the grocery business, and Ernie and Gloris once again started a new venture, when they opened a feed and farm supply business in the grocery building, where they served the community until retirement.
Ernie was a member of the Town Council, serving four terms. Gloris was known for her love of flowers and her sewing ability. Many local people came to Gloris to have clothing made, including several brides who walked down the aisle in gowns she had made. The Vetters then sold their home to Mrs. Vetter’s daughter and son-in-law, Merv Mills and Dorothy Lowe Mills, and moved into a mobile home on an adjoining lot where Mrs. Vetter still resides [1984].
Mr. Vetter’s children are Keith Vetter, Virgil Vetter, Venita Vetter and Gola Vetter.
Keith Vetter of Washington, Iowa, is owner of several Culligan Soft Water Services in eastern Iowa. He married Marla Gettert of Muscatine. They are the parents of two daughters. Keith also served two terms as state representative.
Virgil Vetter of West Liberty owns and operates farms near Cedar Valley and Nichols. He married Jane Adams of West Liberty. They are parents of four sons. Virg Vetter, like his father, serves on the Muscatine county A.S.C. Board, which was formerly A.A.A.
Venita Vetter married Virgil Harned of West Liberty. They owned and operated the True Value store in West Liberty for several years. They are the parents of one son and two daughters.
Gola Vetter married Henry Buser of Conesville. They resided in Rock Island, Illinois. They are parents of two sons and two daughters. Gola will be remembered by many for her love of basketball. On Christmas day 1979, Gola passed away after a lengthy illness.
All of the Vetter children were graduates of Nichols High school.
Mrs. Vetter’s children are Bernadine Lowe, Robert Lowe, Paul Lowe and Dorothy Lowe.
Bernadine Lowe Mueller of Dunsmuir, California, and her husband Milt Mueller, have recently retired after many years as engineers for the Pacific Telephone company of San Francisco.
Robert Lowe owns and operates a farm near Letts, Iowa. He has also worked for several years in the lab at Bandag in Muscatine. He is married to Clarice Miller of Nichols. They are the parents of two sons and one daughter.
Paul Lowe of Columbus Junction, Iowa, owns and operates Lowe Insurance company. He married Faye Winders of West Liberty. They are parents of two daughters. Paul also has a son and daughter from a former marriage.
Dorothy Lowe Mills is a Licensed Practical Nurse at the Lone Tree Care center. She is married to Mervin Mills of Nichols. They are parents of four sons and one daughter.
World War II saw many families separated. We were grateful that our separations were temporary. Keith Vetter was a member of the Civil Air Patrol in Mississippi. Virgil Vetter served in the Navy in the Aleutian Islands. Robert Lowe was in the Army in Germany, and Paul Lowe served in the Marines in the Pacific area.
Ernie Vetter was taken from his family by death on 30 October 1972. The Vetter-Lowe family has shared many memories – from the picnics we always planned to celebrate Dad Vetter’s birthday each July to the Christmas dinners that soon outgrew anyone’s home with the addition of in-laws, grandchildren and great- and great-great grandchildren, and are now held each year at St. Mary’s hall. Although Dad Vetter was deeply missed, the family has stayed strongly united and still look forward to being together. An example of this happened a couple of years ago when several members of the family were attending the wedding of a niece near McGregor. We were enjoying ourselves so much, and one guest commented on how nice it was we could all get together (five couples of us). She asked how far apart we lived. “Oh,” we replied, “a radius of about 15-20 miles!” Again, 1983 found us together for the 41st year at our pre-Christmas dinner with 70 in attendance.
Return to Family Stories Index Return to Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb, Index Page
Page created December 26, 2010 by Lynn McCleary