Loris Ervin Kickbush
Loris Ervin Kickbush, 82, died on Friday, July 14, at the Guttenberg Care Center following a brief illness.
He was born on Feb. 19, 1935, in Millville, Iowa, to Ervin and Selma Marguerite (Troester) Kickbush. He was baptized at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Guttenberg, Iowa. He attended a country school until 8th grade then graduated from Guttenberg High School in 1952.
After school he worked for farmers before entering the army during the Korean War in March 1954, for 16 weeks of basic training in Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. From there, he went then in Ft. Carson, Colo., before being shipped overseas to Bramerhaven, Germany and then on a train to Austria where their duty was to help get dependents out. While in Austria he played on the army baseball team. Part of his tour of duty also took him to Stutgard, Germany. He served with Co. B 70th Engr Bn (C) Combat Construction Specialist. He was honorably discharged Feb. 18, 1956, receiving the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany).
After the service he worked for Roverrudd Construction before Hilton Homes in Guttenberg and Design Homes in Prairie du Chien, then started Galaxy Homes and All American Homes in Dyersville, Iowa, until his retirement in 2000 after 44 years as Purchasing Agent.
Loris married Rosalie Miller on June 4, 1959, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Together they had three children. In his free time he enjoyed hunting, watching the Chicago Cubs and the Iowa Hawkeyes and was an original stockholder in the Guttenberg Country Club. He took great pride in his lawn and garden.
He had been a member of American Legion Post 373 for 17 years. He was Commander for two years and was currently serving as the Service Officer. He was in charge of the Veterans Monument and always there to help with the color guard, putting up and taking down flags. He was named Service Person of the Year in 2012.
Loris is survived by his loving wife Rosalie of 58 years; children Diane (Dan) Glassmaker, of Cassville, David (Tammy) Kickbush, of Guttenberg, and Debra (Manny) Dickerson, of Simi Valley, Calif.; six grandchildren Matthew Elsinger, Adam (Mindy) Kickbush, Whitney (Josh) Zinnel and Zoe, Nathan and Olivia Dickerson; five great-grandchildren Skyler Achenbach, Haley Elsinger, Hunter Adamski, Hayden Johll and Bradyn Salter-Kickbush; two step-grandchildren Alex and Carlie Hyde; sister-in-laws Jean Miller, of Glendale, Ariz., Linda (Ron) Dietzenbach, of Riverside, Calif., and Kay (Ralph) Livingston, of Garnavillo, Iowa; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; fathers-in-law, Alphonse W. Miller; step-father-in-law Phil Winter; mother-in-law, Viola (Scheller) Miller Winter; and brother-in-law Alphonse J. Miller.
Loris was a beloved husband, dad, grandpa and great-grandpa and will be greatly missed. Arrangements are being handled by Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home, 207 S. 1st St, Guttenberg, IA, where the family will receive friends from 3 to 7 p.m., Monday, July 17, and one hour before service at church. Funeral service will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 18, Rev. Marvin Bries officiating. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Guttenberg, Iowa.
