Charles (Chuck) Harvey Siemsen

Charles “Chuck” Harvey Siemsen, the son of John Edward and Ethel Delle (Farnham) Siemsen was born February 27, 1919, at his parent’s home in Cameron Township north of Audubon, Iowa and died December 30, 2013, at his home in Ross, Iowa at the age of 94 years, 10months, and 3 days. Chuck was baptized in the Methodist Church. He attended rural school at Cameron Township #9 and then helped on the family farm. On February 12, 1942, he was inducted into the United States Army. He took his basic training and mechanical training at Shepard Field in Wichita Falls, Texas. He was assigned to the 37th Air Squadron before being transferred to the 6th Air Force in Europe. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant before being discharged on October 15, 1945. He returned to the farm. He was employed at the tire factory in Akron, Ohio for a short time, then returned to Audubon and was employed at Carlson Seed Company before returning to the farm. On March 16, 1947, he was united in marriage to Doris Myrlee Cox at the Grace Methodist Church in Des Moines, Iowa. They operated the John Siemsen home farm in Cameron Township, Audubon County, Iowa for 16 years, as well as the Leroy Township farm for 3 years and the Jesse Wenig farm in Cameron Township for 17 years. In March of 1983, they retired from farming, sold their equipment, and moved to their new home in Ross, Iowa. During retirement, Chuck spent many hours raising produce in his large garden. He kept busy taking his produce to the Farmer’s Market. Chuck was a member of the Ross Calvary United Methodist Church in Ross. He mowed the church and parsonage lawn for many years and was also the church janitor. He enjoyed woodworking and was an avid “corn husker” winning many state and national championships. He also enjoyed hunting. Chuck never knew a stranger. He was a “people” person and enjoyed many hours conversing with his many friends. Chuck was preceded in death by parents; his brother John Siemsen; his sisters and brothers-in-law: Bea Siemsen; Nellie and husband LaVerne Farley; Bessie and husband Laurence Nielsen, Doris and husband Bob Booten; his brother-in-law Melvin Betts, and his sister-in-law Betty and husband Jim Seibert. Survivors include his wife Doris (Dorlee) Siemsen of Ross, Iowa; his children: Nancy Poore of Ross; David and wife Diane Siemsen of Oakdale, California; Dorene and husband Terry Baier of Audubon, Iowa; his grandchildren: Rochelle Harmon of Jacksonville, Florida; Peter Siemsen, Sara Siemsen, and Jennie Siemsen all of Oakdale; Theresa Rustvold of Audubon; Neil and wife Nicole Baier of Davenport, Iowa; Cory Baier of Audubon; Alisa Hilton of Wilmington, North Carolina; his great grandchildren: Allison Rustvold, Kyle Rustvold, and Seth Rustvold all of Audubon; Camdyn Baier and Jace Charles Baier both of Davenport; Trevan Hansen, Haddley Baier, and Tristan Baier all of Audubon; Bryce Hutchison of Wilmington; his sisters: Dorothy and husband Bryan Betts of Audubon; Grace Betts of Omaha, Nebraska; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
There will be a private inurnment at a later date.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Service:
Funeral services will be Thursday, January 2, 2014, at 10:30 A.M. at the Ross Calvary United Methodist Church in Ross, Iowa.