Henry Junior Kalke

Henry Junior Kalke, 90, of Nora Springs, passed away from Parkinson's at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center on the morning of Saturday, June 22, 2024.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N Pennsylvania Ave. with Rev. Dan Gerrietts officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N Pennsylvania Ave. Interment will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Henry was born March 3, 1934, in Klemme, Iowa, son of Henry and Bertha Kalke and graduated from Nora Springs School in 1952. He attended Iowa State University for almost two years before joining the U.S. Army in December 1954. He wed Marlene Rehm January 21, 1956, in Waterloo and they had a 7 month honeymoon in Honolulu, Hawaii while Henry served with the 25th Division Army Band. Henry was honorably discharged in Sept. 1956.

They lived in Des Moines 5 years while Henry attended Drake University to receive his BA in Music Education and then taught band and vocal for 2 years at Granger Comm. School in Granger, IA. From there they moved to Hubbard for 4 years where Henry was the band director teaching 5-12 students. They moved to Nora Springs in 1966 where Henry taught 5th through 12th band for 7 years and drove the school bus. He received his Master of Music degree from the University of South Dakota in 1971. In 1973 he took over the family farm and continued farming until his retirement.

One of his most prized accomplishments in life was directing his bands and getting I's from the judges in contest. In retirement he published a book, THE INVENTOR, a story of his life and father's inventions. He also composed a march, THE NATIONAL GUARD MARCH, which he directed at numerous concerts and had pride in writing this peppy march.

Henry loved his devoted wife Marlene of 68 years and was a loving father to their three children Larry Kalke, SE Mason City, Susie (Dan) Diercks, Elkhorn, NE and Roger (Sylvia) Kalke, Oskaloosa. Also, grandchildren - Brittany (Matt) Renshaw (Omaha), Dr. Trevor (Kayla) Diercks, Two Harbors, MN and Jalen Kalke at home, Oskaloosa. Five Great-grandchildren Kyla Jo Renshaw, Kaizley Grace Renshaw, Kooper Diercks Renshaw and Keaton James Renshaw all of Omaha and Juniper Len Diercks, Two Harbors, MN.