Michael Ameling

Michael Ameling, age 56, of Dorchester, Iowa, died on Friday, October 23, 2009, at his home, from natural causes. Private family services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to your favorite charity or to Colette Ameling, 805 North Pine Street, West Union, IA 52175. Michael Joseph Ameling was born on August 26, 1953, the son of Felix and Colette (Langreck) Ameling in West Union, Iowa. Michael attended grade school in Waucoma and Festina. He graduated from South Winneshiek High School in 1971. He attended Area One in Calmar and Loras College in Dubuque. He graduated from Upper Iowa College in Fayette in 1975. He worked for two years in Cedar Rapids and then for twenty-five years, at Luther College in Decorah, retiring in 2002. Michael’s passion was portraying himself as a Blacksmith of the 1880’s and as a Buckskinner. He also enjoyed being part of 1920’s Gangster reenactments. Mike was very creative in what he made, which included hand-made carpet bags and forged iron work. Mike also enjoyed running his online business and was known as “Mikey of da Nort” and “that grumpy old blacksmith up in the hinterlands”. Michael is survived by his parents: Felix and Colette Ameling, West Union, IA. One sister: Pat (Dick) Raddatz, Cedar Rapids, IA. Three brothers: Dave (Dianne) Ameling, Ossian, IA; Dan (Sayonara) Ameling, Pineville, MO; and Tom (Laura) Ameling, Clermont, IA. Eight nieces and nephews: Chad Raddatz, Phillip Ameling, Greg Ameling, Danielle Ameling, Jonathan Ameling, Alisha (Juan) Arias, Josh Christen and Nichole Hernandez. Three great nieces and nephews: Jordan, Kaylee & Ava, along with many aunts, uncles and cousins. Michael was preceded in death by his brother: Carl Raymond Ameling in 1972. His grandparents: John & Catherine Langreck and John & Mathilda Ameling. A Blacksmith's Prayer My fire is extinct, And my forge is decayed, By the side of the bench My old vise is laid. My anvil and hammer Lie gathering dust, My powerful bellows Have lost all their thrust. My coal is now spent, My iron's all gone, My last nail's been driven, And my day's work is done. Always remember the grumpy old blacksmith from the hinterlands..... "Mikey of 'da Nort" With grateful appreciation of your expression of sympathy. The Ameling Family