Virgil E. Deitchler

Virgil Elmer Deitchler, the youngest of two sons of Lulu Mary (Jurgens) and Adolph John "Otto" Deitchler, was born on February 20, 1922 on the Deitchler family farm near Mineola, Iowa. In 1930, when Virgil was 8 years old, his mother died. His father married Olga Anna Carolina Schroeder in 1931. Virgil grew up in the Mineola area and attended Keg Creek School #7 and Treynor High School. Virgil helped his father on the farm and eventually took over the homestead established by his grandparents, Ferdinand and Alvina (Goos) Deitchler, immigrants from Germany. He was a lifelong farmer and loved the land his ancestors settled. In 1991, the farm was recognized as a "Century Farm".

Virgil and Sylvia Cleo Irwin were married on February 4, 1942 at Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska. They made their home on the family farm and their marriage was blessed with five children, Gloria, Jann, Randall, Mark, and Julie.

Virgil was baptized, confirmed, and a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church of Mineola. He served on the church council and helped start the St. John's Heritage dinners. Virgil was a direct descendant on four sides to Charlotte Deitchler, Leo Jurgens, Detlef Miller, and Christian Goos, signers of church constitution which established St. John Lutheran Church in 1883. He was a charter member of the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department. He was involved with 4-H and served on the Mills County Extension Board. Virgil also was active with the Mineola Community Center.

Virgil enjoyed attending auctions and collecting toy tractors and antiques. He liked to repair and refinish antique furniture. But above all, family was very important to his life. Virgil looked forward to the many seasonal family celebrations at his house such as pumpkin carving, Christmas supper, Valentine's Day, fish fries, and lots of happy birthdays.

Virgil and Sylvia were married 56 years when Sylvia passed away August 12, 1998. Virgil continued to live on the farm until 2007, when he moved to Bethany Lutheran Home in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Virgil passed away on December 5, 2011 at Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital in Council Bluffs at the age of 89 years, 9 months, and 15 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Lulu; stepmother Olga; and brother Glen.

Virgil is survived by his children, Gloria Plumer Ross and husband Terry of Glenwood, IA, Jann Reinig and husband Clarence of Portsmouth, IA, Randall Deitchler and wife Kathy, Mark Deitchler and wife Deb, and Julie Campbell and husband Keith, all of rural Mineola; grandchildren, Lisa Tallman, Michael Plumer, Marcie Fosdick, Lydia Reinig, Andrea Zielstra, Aaron Deitchler, Callie LaScala, Carly Maack, Jacob Deitchler, Molly George, Jordan Campbell, and Nolan Campbell; 16 great grandchildren; sister-in-law Gloria Chenoweth and husband Robert of California; and many, many friends.

A memorial fund has been established.