Albert Schirm
March 9, 1919 — June 14, 2017
Albert “Al” Martin Schirm was born on March 9, 1919, in Adair, Iowa, the son of Emilie Freida and Henry Ludwig Schirm. He attended high school at Adair High School and graduated with the class of 1937. After high school he went to work for Parrott Produce in Adair.
On January 1, 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Al joined the United States of America Coast Guard. He was a Machinist’s Mate and served in New York; Curtis Bay, Maryland; Ketchikan, Alaska; and St. Louis, Missouri.
While honorably serving his country, Al met Dixie Kjeldgaard of Adair, and was married on July 24, 1943, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in New York City, New York. Al sent Dixie home to Adair while he was stationed in Alaska. To this union three children were born: Cindy, Neal and Nancy. Al and Dixie also embraced AFS student Conchi Casamitjana as a part of the family.
In 1946, Al purchased Home Produce and changed the name to Schirm Produce & Feed. He continued to serve the farming community until his retirement in 1984. In addition to the store, Al enjoyed farming and continued helping farm in retirement. Al also enjoyed traveling, spending winters in Texas and time with his children and grandchildren.
Al was very involved in his community. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Marne, Za Ga Zig Shrine, First Presbyterian Church in Walnut; seventy year member of Walnut American Legion Post No. 422; and Walnut AMVETS Post No. 45. Al was known to be loyal to a fault and very dedicated. He lived under the principle that a handshake meant everything.
Al died surrounded by family at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, having attained ninety-eight years, three months, and five days. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Dixie, son-in-law Dale Young, and sister Margaret Persing.
He is survived by his daughter Cindy Young of Mission Viejo, California; son Neal Schirm and his wife Pam of Avoca, Iowa; daughter Nancy and her husband Jeff Blum of Blair, Nebraska; AFS student Conchi and her husband Phil Madson of Cincinnati, Ohio; six grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; brother Leonard and his wife Dolly Schirm of Falls Church, Virginia; other family and many friends.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial be made in honor of Al to Myrtue Hospital Hospice.
On January 1, 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Al joined the United States of America Coast Guard. He was a Machinist’s Mate and served in New York; Curtis Bay, Maryland; Ketchikan, Alaska; and St. Louis, Missouri.
While honorably serving his country, Al met Dixie Kjeldgaard of Adair, and was married on July 24, 1943, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in New York City, New York. Al sent Dixie home to Adair while he was stationed in Alaska. To this union three children were born: Cindy, Neal and Nancy. Al and Dixie also embraced AFS student Conchi Casamitjana as a part of the family.
In 1946, Al purchased Home Produce and changed the name to Schirm Produce & Feed. He continued to serve the farming community until his retirement in 1984. In addition to the store, Al enjoyed farming and continued helping farm in retirement. Al also enjoyed traveling, spending winters in Texas and time with his children and grandchildren.
Al was very involved in his community. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Marne, Za Ga Zig Shrine, First Presbyterian Church in Walnut; seventy year member of Walnut American Legion Post No. 422; and Walnut AMVETS Post No. 45. Al was known to be loyal to a fault and very dedicated. He lived under the principle that a handshake meant everything.
Al died surrounded by family at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, having attained ninety-eight years, three months, and five days. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Dixie, son-in-law Dale Young, and sister Margaret Persing.
He is survived by his daughter Cindy Young of Mission Viejo, California; son Neal Schirm and his wife Pam of Avoca, Iowa; daughter Nancy and her husband Jeff Blum of Blair, Nebraska; AFS student Conchi and her husband Phil Madson of Cincinnati, Ohio; six grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; brother Leonard and his wife Dolly Schirm of Falls Church, Virginia; other family and many friends.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial be made in honor of Al to Myrtue Hospital Hospice.
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