Peter Styve

     Peter Styve, age 92, of Decorah, IA, died on Friday, April 22, 2016, at the Evans Memorial Home in Cresco, IA.      Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 West Main Street, Decorah, IA, with Rev. Phillip Gibbs presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.      Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 p.m., on Monday, April 25, 2016, at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, IA, and also after 9:30 a.m., at the church on Tuesday morning.      Peter Bernard Styve was born on June 8, 1923, the son of Ben and Johanna (Rude) Styve at their home on 5th Avenue in Decorah, IA. Peter attended school Decorah Community Schools. He was baptized and confirmed at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah. He joined St. Benedict Catholic Church on October 10, 1980. Peter was united in marriage to Hazel Kolegraph on July 24, 1946 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Bluffton, by Father Mahoney. To this union five children were born: Ronald, Gerald, Elaine, Wyonne and Paul. Peter joined the Army Air Corps on February 12, 1943 and served until Dec. 7, 1945. He was a Staff Sergeant, serving in Europe, England, France, Germany and Italy. He would always say that he was in charge of 15 planes and when they went, he went. Peter returned to Decorah and worked for Holt Dairy, Albert’s Plumbing and Heating for twenty years and then Lang’s Dairy until he retired in 1988. Peter’s hobbies included doing puzzles, word finds, and playing solitaire on the computer. He always was an avid John Wayne fan with an extensive collection of movies. He loved ice cream, Lifesavers, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Fareway Raisin Brand Crunch. Peter will be remembered for his rhyming words and his dry sense of humor. Peter was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church and the Helof Holm VFW Chapter #1977.       Peter is survived by his four children: Gerald and Willie Styve, Brownsville, TX, Elaine and Jim Sims, Decorah, IA, Wyonne and Ron Priebe, Owatonna, MN and Paul and Joni Styve, Calmar, IA. Daughter-in-law: Evi Styve, Decorah, IA. Eight Grandsons: Philip (Jean) Sims, Rochester, MN, Michael (Kim) Sims, Decorah, IA, Corey (Beth) Sims, Decorah, IA, Brad (Hilary Helgeson) Sorum, Owatonna, MN, Jason (Nora Kapler) Styve, Waterloo, IA, Sam (Bryer) Styve, Joplin, MO, Nicholas Priebe and Brett Styve, Calmar, IA. Eleven great grandchildren: Mikel and Nikolai Styve, Gavin, Jordan, Gunnar, Archer, Allison and Madison Sims, Ashton, Aniston and Adyson Sorum.      Peter was preceded in death by his wife: Hazel Styve on August 23, 2013. His son: Ron Styve on January 7, 1991. His parents: Ben and Hannah Styve. His father-in-law and mother-in-law: Phil and Clara Kolegraph. He was also preceded in death by his brothers and sisters and their spouses: Ruth (Bill) Coty, Hazel (Preston) Kemp, Florence (Martin) Luren, Lester (Violet) Styve, Bessie Styve, Raymond (Beady) Styve, Vivian Styve, Clifford Styve, Reuben (Ruth) Styve. Sister-in-law: Irene (Lyle) Erickson and brother-in-law: Walter Kolegraph, as well as several nieces and nephews.