Albert Seipold

Albert Walter Seipold, the youngest of five children of Carl and Ida (Pontow) Seipold, was born June 23, 1914 at Garner, IA. The family moved to Mills County in 1916 and made their home on a farm north of Malvern, IA. Bert attended rural school at Golden Hill and was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church at rural Hastings, IA. Following school, Bert continued to work on the farm and still was operating the farm in 1942 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Bert was attached to the 975th Field Artillery Battalion in which he served almost four years. After crossing the English Channel and landing at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, Bert went into combat action under the command of General George Patton and often served as interpreter of the German language for his commanding officers as they advanced into Germany. Bert was awarded four Bronze Battle Stars. Following the war, Bert returned to Malvern in 1945.
On March 16, 1947, Bert and Mary Jean (Ewing) were united in marriage at St. John's Lutheran Church. They made their home in Malvern and their marriage was blessed with one child, Bob Seipold. Bert was involved for the next 19 years in commercial business and sales in the Malvern Community and in 1965 became head custodian at the elementary school in Malvern. He also drove a school bus and in 1968 became the custodian at the new Malvern High School building. Bert retired from being the custodian in 1980, but continued on with his bus route until 1984. Bert helped at the Mansfield-Hertz Funeral Home in Malvern for many years. He was a 50-year member of the Malvern Volunteer Fire Department.
In 2001, Bert and Mary Jean moved to the Risen Son Christian Village in Council Bluffs, IA. On June 20, 2002, Bert suffered a fall and broke his hip. On July 5, 2002, Bert died at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs. He had attained the age of 88 years and 12 days.
Bert was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Martin Seipold, Otto Seipold, Hugo and his wife Gladys Seipold, and sister Helene and her husband Walter Knop. Bert is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Jean Seipold, son Bob Seipold and his wife Kathy of Council Bluffs, IA, granddaughters Tara Seipold and Renae Seipold and great grandson Keagan all of Council Bluffs; sisters-in-law Grace Seipold of Tabor, IA and Lucille Seipold of Council Bluffs; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.