Bill Shimek

William (Bill) Shimek, age 83 of Calmar, IA, he was surrounded by his family as he slid into homebase on August 14, 2025. His life was a gift and was well lived.

A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, IA with Rev. Henry Huber presiding. Burial will be in the St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday morning at the church.

Born on a farm northeast of Calmar, Iowa, on a snowy November 1st in 1941, his aunt Julia placed him on the oven door for warmth, as he weighed only 3lbs.,12 oz. He soon found his place as the youngest in a family of five children. His parents saved the best for last. He learned sacrifice and compassion at a young age.

Bill attended St. Aloysius grade school, and graduated from South Winneshiek High School with the class of 1960. He lived with his parents after high school and helped his father on the farm and helped care for his mother, who was bedridden with Multiple Sclerosis. The summer before his senior year he began working for the Milwaukee Road and worked there immediately after graduation. He was known as the guy who could drive the most spikes in a day, and was referred to as Wild Bill by his co-workers, as he was in constant motion from sunrise to sunset. He remained a Milwaukee Road employee for 25 years.

After a year and half of courtship, filled with many laughs and enjoying one another’s company, he married Mary Jane Bohr, February 27, 1962. They became the parents of three children: Constance (Alan) Hauber, Sherry (Bill) Massman, and Grant, (Jill) Shimek.  Bill proved to be the most loving and devoted husband, and he had a profound respect for his marriage. He supported Mary Jane in her business endeavors, and they enjoyed many travels and experiences with each other.

In 1970, while continuing to work fulltime for the railroad, he purchased a farm of his own. As the years went by he expanded his operation and never tired from long hours and a hard day’s work. He drew much personal satisfaction from seeing the fruits of physical labor.

Bill enjoyed his family, his grandbabies and great grand babies, as well as a day with friends, and having “no more than two beers” (Ha Ha). His dog Duke was a faithful companion. He loved his country, his hometown of Calmar and the surrounding northeast Iowa communities. He had a passion for country music which he shared with his family.

The rules he lived by served him well: never miss an opportunity because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work; defend your family, and find something to laugh about. He demonstrated an unwavering faith and set many examples of this for his family.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Jane, his three children, 11 grandchildren: Megan  (Ben) Finley,  Nicholas Hauber, Michael (Emily) Hauber and Kelley Hauber, Alexandra Massman, Jacob (Morgan) Massman, Luke Massman, and Olivia Massman, Ezra Shimek, Katie Shimek and Sophia Shimek, three great grandchildren, his brother in-law Vince Williams and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, William and Agnes (Neuzil) Shimek, his siblings, Jerome (Lucille) Shimek, Arnold Shimek, Marion (Clyde) Bothmer, and Lorraine Williams, his mother and father in-law, Edward and Hildagarde Bohr, his sister-in-law, Dorothy Glover, and brothers in law, James Bohr and Ed Bohr.

He will be forever remembered and loved for his snappy one liners, sense of humor and ability to smile while he worked.

Helms Funeral Home is not involved and will not be present during the service. If you have questions, please contact the family.