Carl Chris Struve

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
CARL C. STRUVE

BORN
July 30, 1925 ~ Peterson, Iowa
PASSED AWAY
February 16, 2015 ~ Sheldon, Iowa

VISITATION
After 4 P.M. Friday, February 20, 2015
Family Present from 5 - 7 P.M.
Eldridge Family Funeral Home; Primghar, Iowa
FUNERAL SERVICE
10:00 A.M. Saturday, February 21, 2015
Grace Lutheran Church; Primghar, Iowa
Rev. Marchia Young and Rev. Cory Allard ~ Officiating

MUSIC
Lords Prayer
Irish Blessing
Sung by: Jonathon Struve
Accompanied by: Becca Moermond
Allelujah
Sung by: Grace Lutheran Praise Team
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
The Old Rugged Cross
Organist: Lois Gruis

IN CHARGE OF FLOWERS
Ardith Evenson Lorraine McCauley Alice Marquardt

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Don Larson Richard Evenson
Tom Farnsworth Leo Kuiper
CASKET BEARERS
Dudley McDowell Steve Landhuis
Joe Leng Josh Moermond
Tyler Fischer

FINAL RESTING PLACE
Pleasant Hill Cemetery ~ Primghar, Iowa
Military Honors Presented by the
Chateau-Thierry Post of the American Legion of Primghar

After todays graveside service, relatives and friends are invited
to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements are under the care of the
Eldridge Family Funeral Home; Primghar, Iowa

CARL C. STRUVE

Carl Chris Struve, son of Edward and Elsie (Back) Struve, was born on July 30, 1925. He attended country schools in OBrien County and graduated from Sutherland High School in 1943. He was drafted into the army in 1944, serving in the infantry during WWII as a machine gunner and sniper spotter in Italy. At the conclusion of the war, he served as a minesweeper until his discharge in 1946. He was awarded two bronze stars, a good conduct medal and a combat medal for his service. After returning home, he settled into a role as father and farmer in OBrien County. On August 4, 1946, he married his high school sweetheart Marian Louise Cain. They had three children: Eugene, Deborah and Lorrita. After twenty-two years together, Marian passed away on December 26, 1969. On July 12, 1970, Carl married Donna Saupe Tarnasky, becoming stepfather to her four children: Don, Sandra, Alan and Sharon. Carl and Donna had two children: Carl Herbert and Jonathon. From 1977, Carl and Donna lived on a Saupe family century farm two miles west of Archer until Carl moved to Sheldon Sanford Senior Care in November of 2014.
He was a member of the OBrien County Farm Bureau, American Legion, Prairie Queen Kiwanis and served on the Farm Service board. As a member of Grace Lutheran Church, he taught Sunday school, served as lay minister, was a member of the church council and congregation president. He was a part of the committee involved in planning and constructing the current Grace Lutheran Church building. In November 1986, Carl was elected to the OBrien County Board of Supervisors, an office he held for sixteen years. During his tenure, he was instrumental in the development of the Family Crisis Center in Sioux Center, the Prairie Heritage Nature Center near Sutherland, and the construction of the OBrien County Law Enforcement Center as well as advocating for the maintenance and preservation of the OBrien County Courthouse. Carl enjoyed an active life, joining softball and bowling leagues, playing cribbage, taking part in 500 card clubs and traveling. He loved flying; he started taking flying lessons in 1958. He enjoyed going to fly-in breakfasts, flying over his fields and taking trips in his plane. He loved and supported his children and grandchildren, attending countless sporting events, concerts, and plays, as well as celebrating the milestones of his children and grandchildrens lives. He was particularly proud of the accomplishments of all his children and grandchildren. He loved farming, and worked on the farm well into his eighties. He could always be seen in a tractor, combine, or in his pickup looking at his fields. Carl developed dementia and entered Sanford Senior Cares memory unit in November of 2014. He passed away early on Monday, February 16, 2015. We thank the dedicated staff and nurses who cared for him during his illness, and are grateful for their patience, kindness, and hard work. We would also like to thank the Beecin Foundation for providing a comforting space for Carl and the family in his final days.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Donna Struve of Archer, IA; his children Eugene (Jane) Struve of Primghar, IA; Deborah (Richard) Burrows of Osceola, WI; Lorrita Johnson of Forest Lake, MN; Jonathon Struve of Decorah, IA; stepchildren Donald Tarnasky of Sacramento, CA; Sandra (Lynwood) Mohni of Hartley, IA; Alan (Pat) Tarnasky of Hartley, IA; Sharon (Joseph) Bertroche of Cedar Rapids, IA; fifteen grandchildren: Eugene Struve, Jr., Chris Struve, Rick Burrows, Donald Burrows, Robert Burrows, Timothy Burrows, Colleen Tetreault, Britta Johnson, Cassandra Bohnet, Alic Mohni, Tyler Bertroche, Adam Bertroche, Eric Bertroche, Rachel Tarnasky, Ryan Tarnasky; thirteen great grandchildren: Stephen Struve, Kara Struve, Ashley Struve, Sophia Struve, Sean Burrows, Hannah Burrows, Kaley Burrows, Cody Burrows, Wyatt Burrows, Olivia Burrows, Elise Mohni, Ana Eagle, Aleta Jester; three great-great grandchildren: Briston Robinson, Paisley Struve, Gracie Struve; brother Clifford (Joanne) Struve of Silver Bay, MN; and brother-in-law Paul (Betsy) Saupe of Solon, IA.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Marian; a brother, Elden; a son, Carl Herbert; a son-in-law, Gary Johnson and a sister-in-law, Norma Firkins.
Carl was proud of his family and will be remembered for his generous loving heart. He was a model of hard work, honesty and integrity. During his time at the nursing home, Carl frequently said: I am a good man and Ive done a lot of things. Everyone agreed.