Joseph Kass

Joseph M. "Joe" Kass, 99, of Marcus, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at Heartland Care Center in Marcus. Funeral services will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Marcus, Iowa. Rev. David Doellinger will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, rural Marcus. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church. The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral service on Saturday.

Joe was born in rural Remsen, IA on December 23, 1919, the son of Frank and Elizabeth (Nacke) Kass. He lived on the farm with his parents until entering military service on February 22, 1942. A veteran of WWII, he served with the US Army Air Force as an aircraft maintenance mechanic for pilot training, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received an honorable discharge in November of 1945.

Joe began farming on his own in 1946. On February 21, 1946, he married Hilda Letsche at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Marcus, IA. They were parents of two sons, Lee and Alan. The lives of Hilda and Alan were claimed July 23, 1950 as a result of an automobile accident.

On August 28, 1953, he married Patricia Rieke at First Lutheran Church, Kingsley, IA. They were the parents of three children, daughters, Joan and Jan, and one son, Donald. They lived on a farm southeast of Remsen until retiring and moving to Cherokee, IA in January of 1990. Joe assisted his son, Don on the family farm for many years after retirement.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Marcus. He served as Chairman, Treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent, and on the Cemetery Board Committee.

Joe liked to play euchre and pinochle, and enjoyed many games with family, neighbors and friends. He loved music and dancing and met Pat at the Avalon Ballroom in Remsen. They “put a lot of miles on the floor” there. He was an avid softball player and enjoyed watching a game whenever he could. He cheered on his children and grandchildren’s many activities.

He will lovingly be remembered by his son, Lee (Susan) Kass of Lisle, IL, daughter, Joan (Andreas) Exner of Durango, IA, daughter, Jan (Phil) Burnside of Avon, IN, son, Donald (Shelly) Kass of Remsen; eight grandchildren: Alan Kass, Ellen (Daniel) Ritter, Evan Bunkers, Col (sel) Lee (Apryl) Nenortas, Robin Kass Morris, LT Jamison (Samantha) Morris, Jessica (Capt Jens) Jenson, Shelby (SSG Jacob) Johnson; fourteen great-grandchildren: Logan, Anthony, Teegan, and Adeline Ritter, Alex, Erik, and Andrew Nenortas, Joseph Martino, Blake, Riley, and Logan Morris, Lydia and Paul Jenson and Jayce Johnson; one brother, Charles Kass of Sioux City, IA, one sister, Georgia Kass of Remsen and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Hilda and Patricia; son, Alan; and three brothers: Gregor, Ray, and Leo; three sisters, Dolores Letsche, Imelda Roethler and Rita Schuetz; brothers-in-law, Carl Letsche, Ray Roethler and Ralph Schuetz; sisters-in law, Kathleen (Ray) Kass, Shirley (Greg) Kass, Gwen (Leo) Kass, Donna (Charles) Kass, Floreine (Ray) Kass, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.