Delmar J. Mikels
April 30, 1927 — October 27, 2011
Delmar Jacob Mikels, the son of Matt and Genevieve (Fuhs) Mikels, was born on April 30, 1927, in rural Portsmouth, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary�s Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth. He attended country school and St. Mary�s Catholic School in Portsmouth.
Delmar was united in marriage to Phyllis Kenkel on October 6, 1956, at St. Peter�s Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa. They had five children: Denise, Dean, Diane, Donna, and Danette. The couple made their home on their farm east of Portsmouth for fifty-five years. Delmar�s lifelong passion was farming, raising crops, livestock, and custom farming, especially baling. He also worked at the Council Bluffs Post Office, a tractor mechanic at the International Dealership in Council Bluffs, and in construction building New Park School and grain bins.
Delmar was a lifelong member of St. Mary�s Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth. He was a very devoted husband and father. He was a strong, quiet man, but always quick with a funny remark or story. He enjoyed working on and restoring old tractors. He took great pride in keeping his machinery, farm, and crops very clean and in good condition. He was a gentle, kind, and caring man with a big heart and always there to help. He cherished his family, home, and faith in God.
Delmar died on Thursday, October 27, 2011, at Creighton University Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, having attained the age of eighty-four years, five months, and twenty-seven days.
Delmar was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Edward, Ray, and Alfred; his sisters Veronica Klein and Eva Slaughter; and granddaughter Elise Schmidt.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Phyllis Ann Mikels of Portsmouth, Iowa; their children: Denise and her husband A. Leo Leonard of Waterloo, Iowa, Dean Mikels of Portsmouth, Iowa, Diane and her husband Peter Coret of Woodbine, Iowa, Donna and her husband Michael Schmidt of Harlan, Iowa, and Danette Mikels of Portsmouth, Iowa; nine grandchildren; brother Richard Mikels of Portsmouth, twin sister Dolores and her husband John Hicks of Manhattan Beach, California, sister-in-law Mae Mikels of Woodbine; other family members and friends.
Rev. John Dorton celebrated the 10:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, October 31, 2011 at St. Mary�s Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Iowa. Serving as casket bearers were Aaron Coret, Nathan Leonard, Pat Coret, Bryan Schmidt, Stephen Schmidt, Collin Schmidt, and Justin Leonard. Interment was held at St. Mary�s Cemetery in Portsmouth, Iowa.
PDF Printable Version
Delmar was united in marriage to Phyllis Kenkel on October 6, 1956, at St. Peter�s Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa. They had five children: Denise, Dean, Diane, Donna, and Danette. The couple made their home on their farm east of Portsmouth for fifty-five years. Delmar�s lifelong passion was farming, raising crops, livestock, and custom farming, especially baling. He also worked at the Council Bluffs Post Office, a tractor mechanic at the International Dealership in Council Bluffs, and in construction building New Park School and grain bins.
Delmar was a lifelong member of St. Mary�s Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth. He was a very devoted husband and father. He was a strong, quiet man, but always quick with a funny remark or story. He enjoyed working on and restoring old tractors. He took great pride in keeping his machinery, farm, and crops very clean and in good condition. He was a gentle, kind, and caring man with a big heart and always there to help. He cherished his family, home, and faith in God.
Delmar died on Thursday, October 27, 2011, at Creighton University Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, having attained the age of eighty-four years, five months, and twenty-seven days.
Delmar was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Edward, Ray, and Alfred; his sisters Veronica Klein and Eva Slaughter; and granddaughter Elise Schmidt.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Phyllis Ann Mikels of Portsmouth, Iowa; their children: Denise and her husband A. Leo Leonard of Waterloo, Iowa, Dean Mikels of Portsmouth, Iowa, Diane and her husband Peter Coret of Woodbine, Iowa, Donna and her husband Michael Schmidt of Harlan, Iowa, and Danette Mikels of Portsmouth, Iowa; nine grandchildren; brother Richard Mikels of Portsmouth, twin sister Dolores and her husband John Hicks of Manhattan Beach, California, sister-in-law Mae Mikels of Woodbine; other family members and friends.
Rev. John Dorton celebrated the 10:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, October 31, 2011 at St. Mary�s Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Iowa. Serving as casket bearers were Aaron Coret, Nathan Leonard, Pat Coret, Bryan Schmidt, Stephen Schmidt, Collin Schmidt, and Justin Leonard. Interment was held at St. Mary�s Cemetery in Portsmouth, Iowa.
PDF Printable Version
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Delmar J. Mikels, please visit our flower store.