Earl Oetker

Earl John Oetker, 92, lifelong resident of Haverhill, passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 6, 2020 at UnityPoint Health in Marshalltown. A funeral mass for Earl will be held on Friday, December 11 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish – St. Henry Catholic Church in Marshalltown, followed by burial at Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery in Haverhill.  All attendees are required to wear masks and practice social distancing. Due to the current pandemic, the visitation will be limited to family only. For those unable to attend, the funeral mass will be available for viewing on the Mitchell Family Funeral Home Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell-Family-Funeral-Home-99280714047/ . Memorials in Earl’s name may be directed to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Sisters of St. Francis in Dubuque or the Marshalltown Salvation Army. Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Earl and his family. For additional questions or condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Earl was born on January 21, 1928 to George H. and Hildagard (Hoffman) Oetker at their farmhouse in Haverhill.  Growing up, he enjoyed playing ball and riding bikes with his siblings, cousins and neighbors. He attended Van Cleve High School and worked hard on the family farm. In 1946, Earl enlisted in the United States Army and honorably served in Japan after WWII. Upon returning from service, he was set up by his brother for a drive-in movie date with Irene Freese. After dating for one year, they were united in marriage on November 26, 1951 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Haverhill.  Together they purchased the family farm in 1970, where they lived until just this October, when they relocated to The Willows in Marshalltown. On Thanksgiving Day, they celebrated 69 years of marriage together. Earl was a skilled farmer his whole life, with cow and calf operation, farrow to finish hog operation and farming the land. He was a member of Iowa Cattlemen, Marshall County Pork Producers, The Soybean Association, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Foresters and Farm Bureau. He was also an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish – St. Henry Catholic Church in Marshalltown and a previous member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Haverhill. When he wasn’t hard at work, Earl was spending his time with his family. He adored his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was described by his children as fair and gentle. Earl enjoyed visiting with people, listening to music, watching Chicago Cubs baseball and taking trips to Walmart, Menards and Theisens. Earl was honored for his devoted service to our country, mentioned above, by being invited on the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Irene; his children: Kathleen (Glen) Gwyn, LeRoy Oetker, Joanne Lenox, Philip (Keri) Oetker and Paul (Kelley) Oetker; 21 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren and one on the way; siblings: Irene Erwin and George R. (Rita) Oetker; daughter-in-law Jeanne (Heinrichs) Oetker and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Earl is preceded in death by his parents, George and Hilda; children: Ronald Oetker and Daniel Oetker; siblings: Robert Oetker, Marie Barber, Elizabeth Blink, James Oetker, Harold Oetker and William Oetker; daughter-in-law, Julie Oetker and son-in-law, Donnie Lenox.