Small Town News

Johanna Weiss

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Johanna Weiss, 90, of Decorah, died Friday, Sept. 10, 2010 at Aase Haugen Assisted Living in Decorah. Visitation is from 4 until 8 p.m. today (Thursday, Sept. 16), at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and on Friday one hour before the service at the church. Funeral service is 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Locust, with Rev. Nancy Solomonson officiating, Organist is Jennifer Little. Pianist is Steve Beatie. Soloists are Lisa Anzai and Tracy McKenna ("Precious Lord, Take My Hand"). Congregational hymns are "What A Friend We Have in Jesus," "God Be With You till We Meet Again." "So Nimm Denn Meine Hande" will be sung by Irmgard Hein Ellingson and Gary Sanders. "Beyond the Sunset" will be sung by Gary Sanders and Tracy McKenna at the cemetery. Casket bearers are Bill Luhman, Adam Weiss, Dan Weiss, Kristen Weiss, Steven Koehler, Seth Weiss, Gretchen Koehler and Ben Weiss. Interment is at Locust Cemetery, Locust. Arrangements by Fjelstul Funeral Home, Decorah. Friends may sign Johanna's guest book or send condolences online at www.fjelstul.com.

Johanna Klara Weiss was born June 23, 1920 in Kulm, Romania, the daughter of Daniel and Lydia (Schwab) Henke. She attended school through 8th grade. Johanna was united in marriage to Imman-uel Weiss Aug. 14, 1938 in Kulm, Romania.They had been married for 67 years and raised seven children: Cheri, Hilma, Gerda, Erich, Siegfried, Gerlyn and Arnold. Johanna and Immanuel immigrated to the United States April 29, 1952 and made their home in Humboldt County and later Palo Alto County in Northwest Iowa. The couple purchased their farm Dec. 2, 1952 in Pleasant Township, Winneshiek County where they moved and farmed together for many years. They retired from farming in 1981. After losing her home several times during World War II she treasured her home in Locust. Johanna was active with the ladies circle of St. John's Lutheran Church also at Locust.

Johanna continued to stay very active. She had a big garden and many fruit trees. This produce was shared with friends, relatives and her church members or canned and frozen for the winter cooking. She loved cooking and insisted that all had more than enough to eat. Her plum and apple kuchen were enjoyed by many who entered her kitchen. Johanna was head of the kitchen, but she kept her finger on the pulse of farming. She knew what was going on with all phases of the farm work, personally helping whenever needed. Even in her later years she got great enjoyment out of surveying the crop conditions, watching the weather, and riding along in the combine at harvest time. Her motherly instinct never wavered, she loved keeping in touch with her children and being assured that everyone was doing well.

Johanna died Friday, September 10, 2010 at her Aase Haugen Assisted Living apartment. She was 90 years old.

Survivors include Johanna's six children: Cheri (Fred) Dearborn of Lawrenceburg, Ind., Hilma (Gary) Sanders of Broken Arrow, Okla., Gerda (Roy) Luhman of Graettinger, Erich (Mary) Weiss, Decorah, Gerlyn (John) Koehler of Peru, I11. and Arnold (Julie) Weiss of Decorah, 17 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Johanna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Immanuel, Aug. 6, 2006; a son, Siegfried, Dec. 7, 1996; two sisters, Eliza Roloff and Ottilia Rauter; and one brother, Teoder Henke.



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© 2011 The Decorah Journal Decorah, Iowa. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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