Albert F. Stehr

Albert F. Stehr was born in Stockholm Township, rural Kiron, Iowa, October 24, 1905, the son of William F. and Elsie Katherine Koch Stehr. He was received into God?s Kingdom of Grace through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism and confirmed in Christian Faith at St. John?s Lutheran Church, Stockholm Township. He was raised on the farm and received his education in the rural schools. On March 24, 1935, Albert was united in marriage with Genevieve Johnson at the RLDS Church in Deloit, Iowa. Their union was blessed with one son, Don. They made their home in Boyer for a time before moving to the farm near Deloit and farming for Earl Riggleman. In 1980 they retired and moved into Deloit where, for many years, Albert and Genevieve were caretakers of the Deloit Community Building. In October of 1992 they moved to Denison. Genevieve died October 11, 1992 and Albert continued to make his home in their apartment until age 99 when he moved to the Denison Care Center. In his spare time Albert enjoyed playing bingo, playing cards, especially Euchre, at the Senior Center, fishing in younger days and socializing with friends over coffee at Hy-Vee. He was happiest when spending time with his son, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandson and extended family members. He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Denison. Albert died Saturday, September 19, 2009, at the Denison Care Center in Denison. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 103 years, 10 months and 25 days. Including his parents and his wife, Albert was also preceded in death by one great grandson, Brian Stehr, four brothers, Marvin, Alfred, August and John Stehr and one sister, Mabel Wagner. Those remaining to cherish his memory include one son, Don Stehr and wife, Sandy of Denison, three grandchildren, Jeff Stehr of Harlan, Iowa, Jill and husband, Jerry Grell of Danbury, Iowa and Judi and husband, Larry Castle of Mapleton, Iowa, four great grandchildren, Randy Grell and wife Renae, Tiffany Castle, Tara Castle and Kateland Stehr all of Sioux City, Iowa, one step great grandson, Josh Castle of Mapleton, Iowa, one great great grandson, Landon Grell of Sioux City, Iowa, sister-in-law, Dorothy Stehr of Lake View, Iowa, brother-in-law, Warren Bock of Le Mars, Iowa, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 25, 2009, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Denison with the Rev. David Loeschen officiating. Music for the service included the congregational hymns of "Amazing Grace", "In The Cross of Christ I Glory" and "Abide With Me" with Mary Ellen Hafner serving as organist. Pallbearers included Dan McColloch, Larry Carstensen, Jerry Grell, Randy Grell, Larry Castle and Charles Thompson. Sgt. LeRoy Weber served as honorary pallbearer. Interment was Crawford Heights Memory Gardens in Denison. Following the interment the family invited everyone to return to the church and join them for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by the Women?s Guild. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker , Denison, Iowa was in charge of arrangements.