William Poen

William “Bill” Poen, Jr., age 94, a resident of Blackhawk Life Care Center of Lake View, Iowa, passed away Sunday, February 29, 2004, at Loring Hospital, Sac City, Iowa. He was born October 19,1909, in Sac County near Carnarvon, Iowa, the son of Gerd and Kate (Krenzein) Poen.

He was baptized in August of 1910, in the Presbyterian Church of Carnarvon by Pastor C. A. Weary. On March 13, 1938, he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith, by Pastor E. A. Fritz, in the Peace Lutheran Church near Ulmer, Iowa.

Bill was married to Ruth Spater on May 22, 1937, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Robert, Wanda and Waunita.

After completing the eighth grade education in the rural country school, he helped his father farm for a number of years, then decided to be his own manager on a farm north of Ulmer, where they lived for six years. They then purchased a farm south west of Ulmer. He, with his family, lived there from 1942-1974. He and his wife then retired and moved to Lake View, Iowa, after farming for 31 years. He enjoyed farming and having his cattle and horses. They enjoyed cards, dancing, traveling, and gardening.

Bill was a director for a number of years in the rural country school and President of the Ulmer Telephone Company.

Bill is survived by his wife Ruth of Lake View; his son Robert and wife Betty of Lake City, IA; his daughters Wanda and husband Robert Freese, and Waunita and husband Robert Tegels both of Lake View; five grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; one sister Freda Wilson of Lake View; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Alvin and Ezra Poen; sisters Frances Frank, Jenny Meyer, Matilda Poen, and Bena Frerichs.

Funeral service for Bill Poen will be Wednesday, March 3rd, 10:30 am, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Lake View, with Reverend James Travis officiating. Jim Stock, organist, will provide special music, along with congregational singing. The flowers will be taken care of by Jan Stock and Gertrude Drost. Honorary pallbearers include the following: Dick Colshan, Norman Roller, Merle Schoenthal, Gary Wulf, and Rick Dirkx. Casket bearers consists of: Kevin Poen, Lyle Tegels, Daniel Reynolds, Eric Newton, Darrell Freese, Clayton Reynolds, and LeRoy Schoenthal. Interment will be at the Wall Lake Cemetery under the direction of Farber & Otteman Funeral Home. Friends who wish to send condolences may do so online.

Visitation is Tuesday, March 2nd, 3:00 – 8:00 pm, at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Lake View, Iowa.