Lester A Stalzer

Lester A. Stalzer, 92, of Haverhill, passed away peacefully the morning of Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at Iowa River Hospice in Marshalltown with his family at his side.   He was one of ten children born to John and Theresa (Jansen) Stalzer on July 19, 1925.     A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 on Saturday, March 24th at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Haverhill with Fr. Don Czapla officiating.   Visitation will be held on Friday from 4:30-7 p.m. at St. Henry Catholic Church in Marshalltown.   At 7 p.m. a vigil service will follow.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in Lester’s memory to Iowa River Hospice, Immaculate Conception Catholic Oratory, St. Henry Catholic Church, or TGen Foundation in honor of Lester’s sisters that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Lester and his family.  Phone 641-844-1234.  For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com.     Lester attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School and later attended Van Cleve High School.   He played basketball, was in 4-H, and showed calves at the County and State Fair.  He helped his father on the family farm while his two brothers served in the military.   Early in his career he worked at Fisher Controls, Nash Finch, and Lennox Industries.  On June 7, 1948, Lester married Arlene Knoll at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Haverhill.  After living in Marshalltown for a short time, they moved to Arlene’s grandparents’ farm south of Haverhill where Lester started farming.   He continued farming and eventually, in 1964, purchased the Knoll homestead.   In 2002, Lester was very proud to have their farm awarded as a Century Farm.  Lester was a faithful member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Haverhill and later St. Henry Catholic Church in Marshalltown.  He was a member with 72 years of service with the Knights of Columbus Council 966, the 4th Degree Knights, and the Catholic Order of Foresters.    Lester enjoyed attending sports and activities that his children and grandchildren participated in, the Iowa State Fair and Mollie B Polka music.  He loved socializing with friends and relatives at the Knights of Columbus Hall, American Legion and Haverhill elevator.   His all-time favorite was his annual summer vacation at Clear Lake.   The stories of Lester and Arlene’s travels over the years with dear friends always bring much laughter.  Although hesitant about flying over ocean waters, Lester did enjoy their Carnival Cruise and Alaskan Cruise.  He always told people he would go to Hawaii when they built a bridge!  Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 69 years, Arlene, his children Kevin (Patti) Stalzer of State Center, Daryl (Kendra) Stalzer of Emery, SD, Debra (Steve) Ruddick of Marshalltown, Deanna (Chris) Hanish of Waukesha, WI, Craig (Katherine Hedrick) of Waukee; ten grandchildren:  Jennifer Saunders, Angela Patterson, Drs. Brandon (Michelle) Stalzer, Cameron Stalzer, Jenna (Josh) Youngblut, Chad and Natalie Hanish, Connor Ruddick, Lauren and Nicholas Stalzer and was blessed with 11 great-grandchildren, sisters Anna Mae (Frank) Navara and Mary Helen Bates, sister-in-law’s Shirley and Helen Knoll, brother-in-law Harold Heil, and several nieces and nephews.   Preceding Lester in death is his son Philip, his parents and two brothers, Clarence and Glenn; sisters, Elsie Kopel, Ethel Neuroth, Irma Smith, Irene Heil and Dorothy Richard.  Brother-in-laws, Earl and Clyde Knoll, Ray Kopel, Wilbert Neuroth, Clifford Smith, Charles Richard and Edward Bates, and sister-in-law’s, Betty and Annabelle Stalzer.  A favorite saying of Lester’s was “Amen, Amen.”  He always thanked his caregivers for their loving care; therefore, he would want to say to all, “Thank You” for your kindness and support shown to him and his family.