Pike Township Family Stories
WES AND MARY STEINOCHER
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, pages 223-224
By Judy WieskampVaclav “Wes” Steinocher was born 5 July 1915 on a farm in Moulton, Texas, the son of Vaclav Steinocher and Anna Steinocher who came to the United States from Czechoslovakia in the early 1900s. Wes has six brothers and sisters: John Steinocher lives in Marion, Iowa; Frank Steinocher is deceased; Mary Steinocher lives in Austin, Texas; Stella Steinocher lives in Austin, Texas; Anne Steinocher lives in Alexandria, Virginia, and Charles Steinocher lives in Coupeland, Texas.
In 1938 Wes Steinocher and two of his brothers came to Iowa to be near his uncle. Wes worked as a farm hand near Solon until he was drafted in 1942. After three years of front line duty in Europe, he returned to Solon and was employed by Wilson’s Meat Packing company of Cedar Rapids.
Mary Kaalberg was a daughter of Jack Kaalberg and Louise Kaalberg. She attended rural schools and graduated from Nichols High school. She was married to Vaclav “Wes” Steinocher in St. Mary’s church in Nichols.
In 1950 Wes and Mary began farming in section 9 of Pike township, known as the Swickard farm, north of Nichols. Then they farmed in section 32 of Wapsie township, known as the Harry Kaalberg farm; later in section 29 of Wapsie township, known as the Brugman farm. They farmed on section 9 of Pike township on a farm owned by Ben Nichols until Wes’s retirement. They now [1984] make their home at 505 Pleasant street in Nichols. Mary has been employed at the Procter & Gamble company in Iowa City for the past nineteen years.
Wes and Mary Steinocher have three daughters: Connie Steinocher, Judy Steinocher and Cindy Steinocher.
Connie Steinocher is married to Jack Simmons of Iowa City. They have two children, Jennifer Simmons and Jason Simmons, and live in Nichols. Connie Steinocher Simmons is employed at Proctor & Gamble in Iowa City, and Jack Simmons works with the Culligan Service and The University of Iowa in Iowa City.
Judy Steinocher is married to Gregory Wieskamp of Muscatine. They make their home in Nichols and are the parents of Brian Wieskamp and Melissa Wieskamp. Greg Wieskamp is employed by Plamor Lanes in Muscatine, and Judy is at home with their children.
Cindy Steinocher is employed at the Maid Rite in West Liberty and resides in Rochester, Iowa.
Mary Kaalberg Steinocher’s grandfather was Arnold Kaalberg. He was born 31 March 1869 in Holland. He came to the United States from Genrighen about 1884, with the help of his uncle, Frank Kaalberg. Arnold Kaalberg married Mary Linderman Epping, and they had six children: Margaret Kaalberg and Leonard Kaalberg, who were deceased at early ages; John “Jack” Kaalberg, Henry “Harry” Kaalberg, Agnes Kaalberg and Bernadine Kaalberg.
Henry “Harry” Kaalberg married Margaret Lorber; he died in 1957. Agnes Kaalberg married Joe Kinkenhoefer, and they reside in Davenport, Iowa. Bernadine Kaalberg married John “Jack” Mundt; she died 16 August 1971.
John “Jack” Kaalberg married Louise Healy. Their children are Mary Kaalberg, Robert Kaalberg and Patricia Kaalberg. Jack and Louise farmed all their lives first in section 32 of Wapsie township, second in section 5 of Pike township, and finally on a Ben Nichols farm in section 9 of Pike township. After Jack died, Louise moved into Nichols at 204 Short street.
Jack Kaalberg was born 6 August 1901 and died 19 December 1960. Louise Healy Kaalberg was born in Muscatine on 16 July 190 and died 3 December 197. Both are buried in St. Mary’s cemetery, Nichols.
Robert Kaalberg married Geraldine Wolters and resides in West Liberty. They have six children: Cathy Kaalberg, Linda Kaalberg, David Kaalberg, Phillip Kaalberg, Annette Kaalberg and Paula Kaalberg.
Patricia Kaalberg married Ronald Matthews and lives in West Liberty. Their children are Debbie Matthews, who died at birth, Brad Matthews and Doug Matthews.
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Page created December 18, 2010 by Lynn McCleary