John L. Rekward

John L. Rekward, age 95, of Decorah, died Sunday morning, August 28, 2016 at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 2, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Decorah with Rev. John Caldwell officiating. Burial will be in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah, with full military honors. Visitation will begin after 10:00 a.m. Friday, one hour before services, at First United Methodist Church. John Lewis Rekward was born November 27, 1920 at home in rural Castalia, Bloomfield Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa, the son of Lewis and Zoa (Russell) Rekward. He attended rural school through 8th grade and then Decorah High School. He entered the U.S. Army on July 17, 1942 and served in New Guinea, Bismark Archipelago, Southern Philippines and Luzon, earning the rank of Corporal, and Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars. He was Honorably Discharged on October 22, 1945. John was united in marriage with Marjorie Lucille Gjetley on August 8, 1954 at First United Methodist Church in Decorah. They were blessed with one son, Allan. Marge had three sons from her previous marriage: Arlin, Gary and Robert. John drove heavy equipment, managed the V.F.W. Club in Decorah from 1958-1962, was a truck driver for S.E. Brickner and Son, then went to work at Luther College in the Boiler Room for many years. He and Marge delivered Meals on Wheels, volunteered at R.S.V.P., and loved to garden. John was admitted into Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah on August 18, 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Marge on October 24, 2009; two sons, Gary Sorenson on August 25, 1981 and Robert Allan Sorenson, in infancy; two sisters, Esther Gilson and Audrey Hermann; and four brothers: Wallace, William, Russell and Merlin Rekward. John is survived by two sons: Arlin (Delores) Sorenson of La Crescent, MN and Allan (Becky) Rekward of Readstown, WI; ten grandchildren: Kari (Jim) Benesh, Cindy (Fred) Ross, Ian (Leah Sierrer) Rekward, Thomas Rekward, Anna Rekward, Erika Rekward, Carmen (Dale) Kriener, Rachel Sorenson, Kimberly (Bob) Rubalcava, and Jan (Richard) Hedrick; eleven great-grandchildren: Stefanie Benesh, Andrea Benesh, Cassandra Ross, Jared Ross, Abigail Ross, Kaitlyn Kriener, Brandon Kriener, Kaiti Rubalcava, Pablo Rubalcava, Nickales Hedrick, and Jordan Hedrick; and one brother, Walter (Dee) Rekward of Davenport, IA.