Walter Nees

Walter Joseph Nees, age 82, of Early, Iowa, passed away Thursday, June 3, 2004, at the Loring Hospital in Sac City, Iowa, following a short illness.

Walter was born May 5, 1922, in Carroll, Iowa, the son of Carl and Josephine (Reiff) Nees. He received his education through the eighth grade by attending school in Mt. Carmel.

On January 27, 1945, Walter entered the U.S. Army at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota. He served his country during WWII in the Pacific, Philippines, and Japan and was honorably discharged on November 17, 1946, holding the rank of Sergeant.

Walter was united in marriage to Dolores Eischeid Baumhover on April 3, 1951 in Carroll, Iowa.

Walter and Dolores farmed and raised their family in the Sac City area, retiring from farming in the mid 1980’s. Walter never lost his interest in farming and enjoyed tinkering with older models of John Deere tractors. He also enjoyed dancing, playing cards and having coffee with friends every day.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sac City for over 50 years, where he helped usher at Sunday morning Mass. His other memberships included the Early American Legion and the Sac City V.F.W.

Survivors include his children: Gary Nees and his wife Candace of Storm Lake, Randy Nees and his wife Pam of Rockwell City, Linda Petersen and her husband Steven of Carroll, and Renae Babcock and her husband Randy of Odebolt; nine grandchildren: Lisa Sailer and her husband Jason of Bismarck, N.D., Tammy Dennison and her husband Timothy of Twenty Nine Palms, CA, Laurie Babcock and Tracy Babcock both of Des Moines, Kimberly Stehr and her husband Michael of Correctionville, Matthew and Nathan Nees of Storm Lake, and Amanda and Jessica Nees of Rockwell City; four great grandchildren: Kali Babcock, Owen Sailer, and Hunter and Denver Dennison; a brother Richard Nees and his wife Janet of Nemaha; and a sister Isabelle Schmit of Cushing.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Dolores, on January 14, 2000; great granddaughter Aaliyah Babcock; and three sisters: Dorothy and Esther Nees, and Viola Bruder.

Mass of the Christian Burial for Walter will be Monday, June 7, 2004, 10:30 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sac City. Father Larry McCarty and Father Dale Reiff will officiate. Charles Schulte will play the organ and Steve Goecke, soloist, will provide special music. Honorary pallbearers include: Lisa Sailer, Tammy Dennison, Laurie Babcock, Tracy Babcock, Kimberly Stehr, Amanda Nees, and Jessica Nees. Pallbearers are the following: Matthew Nees, Nathan Nees, David Nees, Michael Stehr, Ronald Kolbe, and Wayne Henrich. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early, Iowa, under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.

Visitation is Sunday, June 6th, 2:00-8:00 p.m., at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City.