Kenneth Hauser

Funeral service for Kenneth Hauser will be held Tuesday, January 4, 2005, 10:30 a.m., at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wall Lake with Father John McGuirk presiding. Sue Mein will accompany the St. Joseph’s Choir. Mr. & Mrs. Orlin Steinkamp and Mr. & Mrs. Duane Rohde will take care of the flower arrangements. Honorary pallbearers will include: Gene Stock, Duane Rohde, Russell Kroeger, Don Nehman, Leon Wenzel, Don Unnerstall, LeRoy Blumhorst, and Jim Doyle. Active pallbearers will be the following: Larry Hauser, Gary Faber, Paul Nehman, Jim Fertig, Jeff Gregg, and Tom Haley. Burial will be at the Wall Lake Cemetery under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral home with military graveside rites by Wall Lake American Legion Chalon Post No. 262.

Visitation will be Monday, January 3rd, 5:00-8:00 pm, with a vigil service at 8:00 pm, at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Wall Lake.

Kenneth Henry Hauser was born October 10th, 1932, in Carroll, IA, to Nick and Josephine (Steinkamp) Hauser. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wall Lake. He graduated from Lake View Community High School and began farming just outside of Lake View. He joined the US Army during the Korean Conflict where he was an instructor, and made life long friends. On December 29th, 1956, at St. Joseph’s Church, Wall Lake, he married Joretta Joan Nehman, and to this union, two children were born, Kathleen and Cynthia. Following a family tragedy, he found love again, and married Mary Jo Beisch on August 13th, 1970, at St. Joseph’s in Wall Lake. Kenneth continued to farm and they made their home just outside of Wall Lake. In 1972, David Joseph Hauser was born, and as he grew up, they shared together, his love of cattle, farming, and farm machinery. In 1996 he retired, moving to rural Missouri to help David with his cow-calf operation.

On January 1st, 2005, he passed away in his home outside Milan, Missouri, at the age of 72. He leaves behind his loving wife of nearly 35 years, Mary Jo, of Milan, a daughter, a son, and three grandchildren. His daughter, Kathleen Gunderson, and husband, Chuck Jr. of Odebolt, Iowa, a grandson, Chase, and granddaughters, Kellyanne, and Karleigh Gunderson, is his Iowa family. Continuing the farming tradition is his son, David Hauser and wife, Kathleen of Milan, Missouri. He is also survived by his only brother, Dale Hauser and wife, Claudia of Lake View, a brother-in-law, Don Nehman and wife, Joan of Lytton, and a sister-in-law, Carolyn (Beisch) Gregg and husband, Gary of Lake City, and, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceding him in death is his first wife, Joretta and daughter Cynthia, his parents, Nick and Josephine Hauser, and in-laws, Fred and Elnora Nehman, and Robert & Flossie Beisch.

Ken celebrated life by enjoying the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and guns, which he shared with many friends and neighbors. Kenneth loved farming, and over the years did custom farming as well. There was nothing better in life than watching a newborn calf. He loved horses, and riding, western boots, hats and snap shirts. He served on the Sac County Conservation board, and as President worked hard to bring the Sauk Rail Trail to Lake View and Sac County. His love of cattle brought him the opportunity to serve as President of the Sac County Cattleman’s Association for many years. He also served on the Corn Belt Telephone Board, as well as the Farm Festival Board. He was a lay minister at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He loved to go camping with his wife and his army buddies and their families, and over the years they shared lots of fun times.

He was happy to add new friends and neighbors from Missouri to his large circle of friends. This last year brought great joy as he watched David and Kathleen get married, and he was able to celebrate one last Christmas with his grandchildren and family in his home.