How Great The Yield From A Fertile Field: R.I.P. Oldest Farmer

We laid the oldest farmer to rest Wednesday morning in the cemetery he helped purchase and plan. The funeral was in the church he helped design and build. The congregation being the one he helped found and then helped lead as the first minister and first ordained deacon.

He passed away peacefully on Jan. 8 at Eureka Hospital at the age of 96. We were able to spend as much time as we wanted with him in his last week, as they lifted some of the Covid restrictions.

Dad was a man of faith, having given his life to the Lord as a young man, and then faithfully serving him the rest of his life. He was a hard worker, yet always found time for family, church activities, and vacations. He was a faithful husband and an engaged father. Words that I would use to describe him would include; down to earth, practical, even keeled, common sense, and Godly wisdom.

He loved music and played trumpet in the High School band. After high school, he formed a Jazz band (The Knites of Rythm) and hosted dances around the area. After his spiritual conversion and marriage, he sang many years with the Mortonaires, an acapella men's group from his church.

He met my mother out in Lester, Iowa, felt led by God to her, and married her at the age of 25. They were blessed with 71 and 1/2 years of marriage.

On and off the farm he was a troubleshooter, a tinkerer, and could fix about anything (and a believer in the use of Shoe Goo). He taught me animal husbandry, basic welding and mechanical skills, and how to care for the land. I followed his footsteps into farming. He taught me to analyse, look long term, then "sleep on it" before making decisions.

His first jobs included farm labor for neighbors, driving a bus (as a young teenager) for the migrant laborers that worked in the area, and as a mechanic at the Ford garage. After graduation from Eureka High School in 1942 at the age of 17, he started in the Caterpillar Apprentice Program. During World War II, his father asked him to come back to the farm to help him, and to avoid the draft. He took winter Ag classes at Purdue University, and farmed full-time until his retirement. He raised grain and livestock, was a seed salesman, and in his early years sold and installed Getz Fire Equipment systems part time.

His physical body deteriorated the last few years, and he reminded us that growing old is not for sissies. In the last few months, he made the comment; "I have always been ready to die, but now I am willing to die."

I will miss him, and I have not and will not be able to fill his shoes.

All 22 of his grandchildren made it to the funeral. It is believed to be the first time since 2011 that they have all been together at the same time and place. They sang the final hymn together at the cemetery.