Joseph "Joe" Umthun

Joseph “Joe” Umthun, 91, of Clarion, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Clarion.

A Memorial Mass for Joe Umthun will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eagle Grove with Father Jerry Blake officiating. Graveside services will be private.

The family will greet friends on Friday, October 2, 2015 beginning with a Rosary Service at 5:45 PM followed by visitation from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion, and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday.

Joseph Leroy Umthun was born May 25, 1924 to Stephen Henry and Verona Wilhelmina (Holtkamp) Umthun in St. Paul, Iowa. Joe later moved with his family to a farm west of Clarion on Highway 3.

Joe served in the United States Army during World War II, in the Pacific Theater at Okinawa, Saipan and the Philippines. A year ago, Joe had the opportunity to tour Washington D.C. and the World War II Memorial as part of an Honor Flight trip.

Joe met Betty Lois Carter at the Wright County Fair in Eagle Grove. The couple was engaged shortly after Joe returned from the service and was united in marriage on November 27, 1946 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Clarion. The couple made their home in Eagle Grove and to this union, five children were born.

Following the war, Joe began working with his father shelling corn and later formed Umthun Trucking with his father and siblings, along with their spouses; a business that operated for more than 50 years. During that time he was an active member of the Iowa Motor Truck Association (IMTA). He also took pride in his involvement in many community activities and service.

Joe was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eagle Grove, where he was very active in Knights of Columbus, having held several offices including several consecutive terms as District Deputy and attended many state conventions.

Joe and Betty loved to travel with their children, having visited nearly all of the states throughout the years. Some of the travels were in their Winnebago with family and friends. The Winnebago was also used at many of the Iowa State Football games. Joe and Betty traveled to Ireland, Rome and other parts of Europe. The family built a summer home at Lake Cornelia in 1960, and life revolved around activities at the lake during the summer months. The couple spent winters in Mesa, Arizona for almost 20 years.

Joe loved golf, having hit a hole-in-one on three separate occasions. He also enjoyed doing small woodworking projects, such as picture frames and shelves, and was very skilled with a scroll saw. Joe is survived by his children Judy (Jim) Jorgensen of Clarion, Pam Webb of Clarion, and Jacki (Mark) Thompson of Alexandria, Virginia; grandchildren Tom (Laura) Webb Chaska, Minnesota Abby Jorgensen of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Nora (Brandon) Thompson of Clarion, Laura (Mitch) McGonegle of North Liberty, Tina (Bob) Mobley of Jefferson, and Alice (James) Cherry of Peabody, Massachusetts; fourteen great-grandchildren; sisters Bernadette Jorgensen of Omaha and Donna Culmer of Nashville, brother Mark (Doris) Umthun of Eagle Grove, along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, wife Betty in January of 2014, daughter Kathryn and son Stephen Joseph, both in infancy, sisters Generosa Benton, Dorene Hauer, Mary Ann Powell, Jane Umthun and brothers Virgil Umthun and Frank Umthun.

View Joe Umthun's Memorial Tribute Video Here:

Joe Umthun Memorial Tribute Video