Eugene Gnade

Eugene Gnade, age 99, of Calmar, IA, died on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 14, 2011, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, IA, with Rev. Donald Hawes presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 2:00-5:00 p.m., on Sunday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Calmar, IA, and after 10:00 a.m., at the church on Monday morning. There will be a scripture service at 2:00 and a rosary at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Memorials may be made to St. Aloysius Catholic Church, P.O. Box 819, Calmar, IA 52132. Eugene Herman Gnade was born on October 1, 1911, at home on the farm near Old Monroe, Missouri, the son of Herman and Rose (Freise) Gnade. Eugene attended Catholic and Public School in the country near Old Monroe, Missouri. Eugene worked on the family farm until he was eighteen years old and then worked on area farms until 1937. He then worked for a tree nursery until he was drafted into World War II, serving in the US Army from 1942 to 1945. After the service he worked for Mission Gardens in Techny, Illinois and this is where he met Laura Giesing. They were married on April 15, 1950 at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina, Iowa. Together they farmed halfway between Calmar and Fort Atkinson until they moved into Calmar in 1978. Eugene loved God. He and Laura prayed the rosary daily and attended mass frequently. In later years, the Mass on television was very meaningful. His grandchildren and great grandchildren were the joy of his life. Eugene enjoyed woodworking and helping his son, Paul on the farm, whom he helped until 2005. For the last two years, Eugene and Laura have resided at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian. Eugene was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Calmar, IA and the Halverson-Giesen American Legion Post #266. Eugene’s survivors include his wife, Laura Gnade, Ossian, IA. One daughter: Mary (David) Meyer, Camanche, IA. One son: Paul (Kathleen) Gnade, Fort Atkinson, IA. Six grandchildren: Michelle Meyer, Patrick (Jenn) Meyer, Mike Meyer and Russell Meyer; Sarah (Travis) Feickert and Alan (Missy) Gnade. Five great grandchildren: Aiden, Gavin & Levi Feickert and Caleb & Bailey Meyer. Four brothers: Jim Gnade, Old Monroe, MO; Bill (Delores) Gnade, Moscow Mills, MO; Ben (Ruth) Gnade, Old Monroe, MO; and Charlie (Dot) Gnade, Old Monroe, MO. Four sisters: Ann Hank, Montgomery City, MO; Leona Schneider, St. Peter, MO; Rosemary (Everett) Roettger, and Jane (Len) Pieper, Troy, MO. Eugene was preceded in death by his parents: Herman and Rose (Freise) Gnade. One great grandson in infancy: Gabriel Meyer. Three brothers: Elmer “John” Gnade, and two brothers in infancy: Richard and Francis. One sister: Adelle (Richard) Anthony. Sisters-in-law: Lorraine Gnade, Laverne Gnade, Marita Gnade and Florence (Roman) Tekippe. Brothers-in-law: Warren Hank and Eugene Schneider.