Nathan F. Poncin, 87 of Galt, passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2019 at the
Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center.
Funeral services for Nate Poncin will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, December
30, 2019 at the United Church of Christ Congregational, 121 3rd Avenue North
West in Clarion, with Pastor Bill Kem and Mr. Stan Watne officiating. Burial
will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.
Visitation will be held prior to services at the church on Monday, beginning at
9:00 AM.
Nathan Fird Poncin was born February 25, 1932 to Charles and Theresa (McCormick)
Poncin. He grew up on the family farm near Clarion.
Nate was educated in country schools, and later attended Clarion public schools,
graduating from Clarion High School with the Class of 1951. He took great pride
in having played football and being elected captain. As years went by, he never
missed a class reunion.
Nate served in the United States Army during the Korean War, from December of
1952 until his honorable discharge in September of 1954. He continued his
service as a member of the Army Reserves for the next 8 years. Nate was a proud
patriot, served in the color guard in Clarion for many years, and was able to
attend an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2015.
Following his discharge from the Army, Nate returned to rural Clarion and
continued farming with his father. He was united in marriage to Karlene
Lindstrom, and to this union, four children were born. On September 13, 1980,
Nate married Jessie (Aukerman) Wicks and the couple made their home near Galt.
Nate was a lifelong farmer, having participated in harvest this past fall, his
69th. He missed one harvest while serving in Korea. He was very active in cattle
and hog production, as well as in crop farming. He was an avid attendee of the
Iowa State Fair, where he was awarded his Century Farm designation in 2018. He
enjoyed attending tractor rides and parades with his restored 1962 International
560. In addition to farming, Nate worked at Eaton Corporation in Belmond on
second shift for 12 years, a job he thoroughly enjoyed.
Nate was a longtime member of the United Church of Christ Congregational in
Clarion.
Nate is survived by his wife, Jessie, of Galt; children Ron (Marie) Poncin of
Queen Creek, Arizona, Natalie (Bill) Thompson of Merritt, Michigan, Dave
(Kellie) Poncin of Eagle Grove, and Kevin (Susan) Poncin of Gilbert, Arizona;
step-children Kelly (Barb) Wicks of Clarion, Carolyn (Ed) Dorsey of Hubbard, and
Scott (Paula) Wicks of Georgia; grandchildren Danielle (Scott) Scheffel, Tawna
(Christian) Crandal, Amanda Poncin, David Stephens, Dr. Quinn Wicks, Jenna
(Jake) Martin, Josey Wicks, Logan Poncin, Nathan (Destinee) Poncin, Ethan Wicks,
Colton Poncin and Adam Wicks; 9 great-grandchildren; along with numerous other
relatives and friends. Nate was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter
Madison Poncin, his brother Curtis Poncin, and his sister Beverly Poncin.