George Gerstenberger

George H. Gerstenberger, 86, of Hazleton, Iowa died Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at the home of his son in Holt, Missouri.

Funeral Service was held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 18, 2019 at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein with Deacon Jim Patera officiating.

Visitation was from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday and for one hour before the service on Monday at the funeral home.

Rosary was at 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Interment was at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Hazleton, Iowa.

Graveside Military Honors by the Iowa National Guard were held.

A Memorial Fund has been established for the disabled American Veterans, U.S.O for phone cards for active duty personnel or Cedar Valley Honor Flight, P.O. Box 182, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613. Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

George Henry Gerstenberger was born June 13, 1933 on the family farm at rural Hazleton, Iowa, the son of George Phillip and Gladys Marie (Buhman) Gerstenberger.  George graduated from Hazleton High School.  

He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict in Virginia as a guided missile launcher specialist with the Nike Defense System.  

On June 22, 1957, George was united in marriage to Margaret Raye “Peggy” Robertson at St. Louis Catholic Church in Groveton, Virginia.  The couple returned to Iowa where George farmed for two years.  He then worked for Highline Construction with the I.B.E.W. Local #55 out of Des Moines, constructing electrical high lines mainly in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, retiring in 1999.

George was a former member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hazleton, I.B.E.W. Local #55, Life Member of the American Legion and D.A.V. and was a supporter of the U.S.O.

George is survived by his 3 Sons: Phillip (Elaine) Gerstenberger of Cameron, Missouri, George “Randy” (Andrea) Gerstenberger of Holt, Missouri and Kenneth “Scott” (Sonja) Gerstenberger of Grimes; 9 Grandchildren; 6 Great Grandchildren; Sister: Mildred Jessen of Oelwein and many nieces, nephews and Cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Peggy, on April 16, 2001; daughter: Christine Fordyce on May 20, 2015; brother: Gus Gerstenberger; sister: Rose Shannon; sister-in-law: Delores Gerstenberger; and brothers-in-law: Chuck Shannon and Bruce Jessen.