Wendell W. Kratzer's Obituary
Wendell W. Kratzer, age 90, of Centerville, Iowa, passed away peacefully to be with the Lord, Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at Continental Care Center in Seymour, Iowa. He was born the son of Wallace E. and Ruth (Lunsford) Kratzer on June 15, 1922 in Monterey, Iowa, in Davis County. He graduated with the class of 1940 from Udell High School in Udell, IowaOn March 30, 1941, Wendell was united in marriage to M. 'Gerry' Morris in Plano, Iowa. He served his country during WWII with the United States Army in Okinawa, Japan from April 23, 1945 until his honorable discharge on November 8, 1946. Upon returning, he farmed south of Plano for 13 years before moving to Des Moines, IA where he was a self-employed finish carpenter for 35 yrs. He and Gerry moved back to Centerville in 2007 to live at The Continental at St Joseph, until Gerry's passing in 2009. Wendell's health declined and was moved to Seymour Care Center. He was a charter member of the Grace Tabernacle Baptist Church in Centerville.He was preceded in death by: his parents; his wife, M. 'Gerry' Kratzer on July 27, 2009; and a sister, Garnett Deahl-Kozak on November 23, 2007.Wendell is survived by: his son, Gary Kratzer and his wife, Martha of Plano, Iowa; a daughter, Janice Ann Versteegt and her husband, Dale of Springfield, Missouri; a sister, Joyce Landis of West Des Moines, Iowa; Four grandchildren and Nine great grandchildren.Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 10 am at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa with Rev. Terry Chapman officiating. Burial will follow in the Haines Cemetery north of Centerville. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2013 from 2 pm until 8 pm at the funeral home with the family present from 6 pm until 8 pm.Memorials can be made to HCI Care Services and left or mailed to the funeral home. The To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Wendell W. Kratzer please visit our Sympathy Store.
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