George W. Dresselhuis

George W. Dresselhuis, age 93, of Odebolt, Iowa, died May 4, 2004, at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove, Iowa.

George was born in Parkersburg, Iowa, on December 28, 1910, to Henry and Grace Dresselhuis. He grew up with six sisters. George met the love of his life while in high school, and pursued Thelma until she accepted his ongoing proposal. On February 23, 1935, they were married.

George always wanted to be a lawyer and throughout his life affirmed that nothing was so rewarding as the practice of law. After high school he obtained a job that would allow him to attend Drake University, where he graduated in the top of his class in 1934 and passed the bar. He practiced law briefly in Des Moines. In 1936 he came to Odebolt, where he practiced until a few months before his death. George did not retire voluntarily.

In 1979 Joseph Heidenreich joined George in the firm of Dresselhuis & Heidenreich. George knew and cared for the legal needs of his clients and their families from cradle to grave. He was the real estate title expert of Sac, Ida and much of Crawford Counties. His knowledge of probate law and practice was unequaled. He held the highest rating in the Martindale Hubbell attorney rating system as an attorney of exceptional ability. He was Odebolt city attorney for over 50 years.

He was proud of Thelma and of his family. He enjoyed the association of many as friends, clients and associates. His annual fishing trip with his brothers-in-law was always a high point. Later, he and Thelma traveled to dozens of interesting places here and abroad, enjoying the many new experiences.

George spent many hours in his garden, tending his flowers and his annual vegetable plantings. During these hours, he thought through problems to be solved at his office and found solutions for the legal dilemmas that he faced in his work. Nothing pleased him more than finding an answer to a vexing problem that would satisfy all the various interests. He also enjoyed dancing, especially with Thelma.

George is survived by his wife, Thelma (Hansen) Dresselhuis, children, Ellen Dresselhuis, Minneapolis, MN; Gerrit (Julie) Dresselhuis, Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Lynette (David) Hildring, Larchwood, IA; and Neil (Delana) Dresselhuis, Brandon, SD; sisters, Etta Avenell, San Antonio, TX; Edene Hofman, Grand Rapids, MI; Mildred Norman, Paradise Valley, AZ; and Frances Hembera, Cedar Rapids, IA. His first great grandchild is due soon, and grandson, Neil, has three step children, Lance, Kortney and John, who enjoyed knowing great granddad, George.

George is also survived by many special friends, who have been and continue to be, truly a gift to all of us. We can’t list all of the wonderful people in George and Thelma’s lives, but we thank especially Joe and Jane Heidenreich, Ron and Elaine Rex, and Herb and Joan Turin for all their help in these past months. We also give special thanks to Dr. Carl Toben, Shelly Else, and the caring and skilled staff at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove. You and the love surrounding us in the community of Odebolt are true blessings.