Herbert DeVere Hartwig

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Herbert DeVere Hartwig, 81, of Mason City, went home to join his Lord and Savior on November 18, 2009. His wife, Gloria, sons, Dennis and Daryl Hartwig, and daughter, Debra Tozier were at his bedside at Good Shepherd Health Center, after a courageous battle with Parkinsons and Lewy Body Disorder. A celebration of life service will be 10:30 AM Saturday at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 101 N. Hawkeye Avenue, Nora Springs, with Rev. Dr. Jennifer Edinger officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Friday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue and continue at the church on Saturday one hour prior to services. Interment will be in Park Cemetery, Nora Springs. Memorials may be given to St. Luke Lutheran Church or Hospice of North Iowa. \r\n
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H. DeVere was born on the family farm northeast of Nora Springs, in Floyd County, May 17, 1928 the son of Herberet George Hartwig and Clara Dorothea (Steidl) Hartwig. He was baptized in St. Luke Lutheran Church, Nora Springs, June 21, 1928 and reaffirmed the faith of his baptism through confirmation, April of 1941. He was a devoted and active member of St. Luke Church, serving on the council, teaching Sunday school and working on many projects of the church. DeVere was a 4-H Club leader in Rock Grove Township and was on the Nora Springs Medical Corporation to find a doctor for Nora Springs, and served on the council of the Nora Springs Elevator. His mother died when he was five years old and his aunt, Lola Hartwig, came out to the farm and helped his dad raise him and his sister, Virgene. He graduated in 1945 from Nora Springs High School. When he was 19, he made his own tractor from parts salvaged from around the farm and junk yards with no training in mechanics or welding. DeVere met his wife, Gloria Jost in Mason City and they were married August 19, 1949 in the First Christian Church, Mason City. They farmed for 40 years and retired to Mason City in 1989. His hobby when retired was rebuilding a 1931 Model A Ford. They rode it in many parades. DeVere loved being with his family boating and skiing at Halverson Park in St. Ansgar and Clear Lake in earlier years. During his retirement years, they enjoyed many winters with friends in Arizona and loved helping his children with projects in their homes. His faithful companion, his German Shepherd, Rommel, gave DeVere many happy hours both on the farm and when he retired to Mason City. The family would like to thank Good Shepherd Health Center and Hospice of North Iowa for the care and loving concern they gave DeVere. \r\n
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H. DeVere will be sadly missed by his wife, Gloria of Mason City; 2 sons, Dennis (Linda) Hartwig of Mason City, Daryl Hartwig of Eldora, and 1 daughter, Debra Tozier of Mason City; granddaughters, Angela (Dan) Bublitz of Nora Springs, Hollie Toppin of Osage, grandson, Christopher Madigan of Lutz, Florida; 9 great grandchildren; sister, Virgene Druschel of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; brother-in-law, Dr. R.C. (Ruth) Jost of Clear Lake; many nieces and nephews. \r\n
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DeVere is preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, Eugene; granddaughter, Amber Hartwig; uncle, John Hartwig; niece, Edith Druschel Boehm and several aunts.