MAX ELTON GREIMANN
MAX ELTON GREIMANN
Max Elton Greimann son of Nicholas Lyle and Z. Florence (Messinger) Greimann, entered this world on April 12, 1928 in a farmhouse in Ringgold county, Iowa, just three/fourths of a mile south of where he would one day farm for over 60 years. He attended grade school at a country school and then later went to school in Ellston and graduated from high school in 1946 in Arispe after his parents moved to a farm northeast of Ellston located on the Union/Ringgold county line. After graduation Max returned to Ringgold county and bought his present day farm from his grandfather, Henry.
On May 15, 1949 he married his high school sweetheart, Rosella Lavonne Smith, and they continued to farm as a team for almost 50 years. This marriage was blessed by two children, Paula Rose (1951) and Elton Lyle (1953).
Over the years Max added to his land by buying two neighboring farms. He primarily raised cattle and hogs but also had sheep and chickens for a short time. His main income for years was dairy cattle of which he and Rosella milked up to 40 cows at one time.
Max was very outgoing and never met a stranger. He would often strike up conversations with people he had never met before and in no time had them laughing along with him as he joked with them. He did love to kid and joke with people. Giving people a hard time in a joking way was what he was well known for in his neighborhood.
He loved his family and especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren at family get-togethers. He also cared for many pets in a very loving manner that few would bestow upon a stray cat or dog. They became like children to him as he cared for ailing cats and dogs. He also enjoyed working in his garden and flower beds. After he stopped farming, he would raise a big garden each summer and give most of the produce to widow women in Kellerton as he always had more than one person could eat.
As his heath declined, he had to opt to move into an apartment in Kellerton where he resided for two years with help from his daughter and public heath personnel. In January 2013 Max decided he could no longer care for himself in his home so he decided to move into the nursing home for more help and companionship.
Max departed this life peacefully in his sleep on March 25, 2013 at 84 years, 11 months. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of almost 49 years, Rosella; siblings, Roe and wife Donna Greimann and Pauline and husband Lawrence ‘Mug’ Creveling, and brother-in-law, Paul Weeda.
Those left with wonderful memories are his daughter, Paula and husband Danny Webb of Kellerton, Iowa and their children and grandchildren, Nicholas and wife Elisa Jones and son Isaac of Paris, France, Danise Russo and children Devin and Hannah of Kellerton, Iowa and Rick and wife Becky and son Carson and one expected in June of Ankeny, Iowa; his son, Lyle and wife Vicki of Fort Dodge, Iowa and their children and grandchildren, Cory and his children, Brayden and Madison, of Jamaica, Iowa and Kelli and daughter Jolie of Gowrie, Iowa; sister, Darlene Weeda; several cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews, and a host of lifelong friends.
Memorials are to the Kellerton United Methodist Church or an animal shelter of your choice. Arrangements were by Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr.
Services were held at the United Methodist Church in Kellerton on Saturday, March 30, 2013, with Rev. Robin Thomas and Rev. Joyce Smith officiating. Musicians were Sandy Campbell and Richard and Camille Jackson.
Casket bearers included Royce Dredge, Carrol Adams, Marty Lesan, Jerold Adams, Allan Dolecheck and Leland Dolecheck.
Honorary pallbearers were Nicholas Webb, Danise Russo, Rick Webb, Cory Greimann and Kelli Greimann.
Burial was in the Maple Row Cemetery in Kellerton.
