WWI VET

From the Postville Iowa Newspaper

Lester Harnack, the son of Joachim Harnack and Caroline Schmidt was born in Clayton County on January 1,1896. he was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church, Clayton Center, on August 1,1897. He was confirmed in St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Postville, on March 20, 1910. He died at the Veteran's Hospital in Iowa City on July 20, 1961 at the age of 65 years, six months and 19 days.

He was married to Edna Wilke on March 11, 1920. The couple farmed in Clayton County for 12 years after their marriage. to this union were born two children, Marjorie and Charlene. They moved to town of Postville in 1936, when it became apparent, that due to a serious arthritic condition, he would be unable to continue farming. He suffered from this condition for the past 35 years.

He served in the United States Army during WWI, and was a member of St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Postville for over 50 Years.

He was preceded in Death by his parents; three brothers, John of Sioux Falls, SD, Fred of Postville and Christ of Postville; and two sisters, Mrs Anna Mohs of Postville and Mrs laura Schmidt of Owatonna,MN He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Marjorie, Mrs Bernold Monroe of Luana, and Mrs Charlene McCune of Cedar Rapids; five grandchildren, Margo and Barbara McCune of Cedar Rapids and Donna, David and Dana Monroe of Luana; two brothers, Joe and Louis of Postville; three sister, Mrs Emma Eberling of Postville, Mrs Lizzie Block of Postville and Mrs. Lena Sebastian of Postville , and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted in St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Postville, on July 24 at 2:00 with the pastor, Rev C.E.Witt officiating. Burial was in the Postville Cemetery. Military rites were conducted at the Graveside by the Arthur F Brandt Post of the American Legion.