Ervin A. Kiepe

Ervin A. Kiepe was born August 4, 1924, at rural Charter Oak, Iowa, the son of Herman and Dorthea Kiepe. He passed away Tuesday, September 12, 2017, at his rural Ute, Iowa, home at the age of ninety-three.
Ervin grew up on the farm, later moving to Monona County with his family. He was baptized in Christ August 28, 1924, at St. John Lutheran Church in Charter Oak, Iowa, and later confirmed April 3, 1938, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ute, Iowa. He attended rural school, Lutheran school for three years and high school for one year. At that time, he decided he was needed at home to help with the farming. In 1948 when his father retired and moved to town, Ervin and his brother, Martin, farmed together until 1954, when Martin moved to another farm. In 1972, Ervin purchased the farm from his father and after Ervin’s mother died, Ervin continued making his home with his father in Ute until 1973, when Ervin was united in marriage to Kathleen (Besanson) Gluesing.
During his farming career, which he loved and in which he took great pride, he grew oats, corn, beans and hay while also being a cattle feeder and raising hogs. He also took pride in his John Deere equipment and his yard. He looked forward to selling his cattle at the Sioux City and Omaha Stockyards and visiting with his buddies, which made it an all-day event. Driving to the county line to check his crops, telling about the depression years, and his dogs brought him great pleasure. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and playing Euchre. In addition to being a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ute, he also held memberships in the Iowa Cattleman’s Association and the Iowa Soybean Association, as well as having served on the medical board in Charter Oak.
Ervin was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Ferdinand, Martin and his wife, Therma; and Herman, who was killed in action in World War II; and one sister, Edna and her husband, Henry. Survivors include: his wife, Kathleen; two sons, Chad and his wife, Rachael, and Karis; four grandchildren: Dylan, Landon, Leah and Lydia; one sister-in-law, Arlene; two brothers-in-law; Karis and Kay and his wife, B.J.; other relatives and friends.