Barr Memorial Home obituary - William J. Pieper, 96, Fort Madison

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William J. (Bud) Pieper, 96, husband, father, farmer, and friend to many died peacefully in Montrose, Iowa Wednesday, August 12, 2020.

A man passionate about farming and business, he cherished his family above all else – beloved wife Glorine Mary (Nichting) devoted children: Jeanne (Tom) Lawrence of Woodinville, WA; Joe (Linda) Pieper of Peoria, IL, Mike (Cheryl) Pieper of Fort Madison, IA; Maggi (Paul) Choplin of Kansas City, MO; Bill Pieper of West Des Moines, IA; Matt (Karen) Pieper of Westminster, MD; and Barb (David) Gonzalez of Glenview, IL.; grandchildren include Kathryn (Lawrence) Foreman, Emily (Pieper) Stein, Zach Pieper, Kim Pieper, Lindsey Pieper, Jillian (Pieper) Mohrfeld, Jordan Pieper, Shanon Pieper, Logan Pieper, William Gonzalez, Drew Gonzalez, Clare Gonzalez and 13 great grandchildren. Other surviving loved ones include many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded by his parents Ernest and Elizabeth; sisters, Agnes Pieper and Marge Andersen; brothers: Henry, Bernie, Bob, Johnny, and grandson Matthew Lawrence.

Bud was born at home in Mt. Hamill, Iowa, on June 24, 1924. He attended St. John’s Catholic School in Houghton.  He was a proud United States Marine; Served in the, 4th Marine Air Wing in the Pacific during WWII.  He met Glorine in the Houghton/St. Paul area where they grew up, they raised seven children together.  They enjoyed reciting the rosary daily throughout their 69 years of marriage.  He was a proud Catholic and member of the Holy Family Catholic Church.  Nothing made him happier than having family and friends stop by to visit.

After the course of a long and accomplished farming career in Green Bay Bottom he continued farming after retirement with an extra large garden at his home in Fort Madison where he grew everything from raspberries and peaches to squash and spinach.  He was the Iowa representative of the Upper Mississippi Flood Control Association for many years and served on the Fort Madison Community Hospital Board for 20 years.  Known for his easy going and quick humor he had a perpetual twinkle in his eye, he loved classical music, animal shows, and playing cards.

Bud volunteered his time starting as the committee chair for the first Aquinas God’s Portion Day.  Bud worked the food bank in Arizona during their winters there and he and Glorine worked at the local Lutheran church thrift store where he repaired donated appliances so they could be sold.    

Even as his health declined he retained his good sense of humor and kindness toward his caregivers.

A private visitation and Rosary will be held Saturday, August 15, 2020  followed by a 10:30 am, limited seating, Mass of Christian Burial at Ss. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, Holy Family Parish with Reverend Joseph Phung as Celebrant.  Masks are required and social distancing will be observed. A Catholic Committal Service and burial with full military rites will be at Gethsemane, Fort Madison. 

Memory Letter/Memorial: Due to Covid-19 and concerns for health and safety of Glorine, other family and friends, the Pieper Family is asking that in lieu of attending the services a memory of Bud be sent that will be read to Glorine and shared with family members.  You can sign an online guest book, share your memory, and view his recorded Mass of Christian Burial following the private services at www.barrmemorialchapel.com.   A memorial has been established for Holy Family Parish.  Memorials and your memory letter may be mailed to Barr Memorial Chapel, 1919 Ave F, Fort Madison, Iowa 52627. 

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