Wilfred "Willie" Husman

Wilfred Clair Husman, 92, of Marcus, Iowa passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2023, surrounded by his family , at the Heartland Care Center in Marcus, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 27, 2023, at Peace Lutheran Church in Marcus. Rev. Kevin Roop will officiate. Burial will be at Marcus Amherst Cemetery, Marcus, IA. Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Thursday, prior to the service at the church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.

Wilfred Clair Husman was born in LeMars, Iowa on May 14, 1931. His parents were John and Claribell (Pearson) Husman. He had 5 younger siblings, 3 brothers and 2 sisters. His parental families farmed near Hinton and Adaville, Iowa. His maternal ancestors were pioneer settlers of Plymouth County.

 Willie loved to tell stories about himself to anyone within earshot. Stories were his method of communication, and usually ended with him saying, “ya know what I mean is?” His early tales were about helping with the wheat harvest and his team of mules. He said, “At 7 years old, I worked like a man all day, aimed the mules for home, curled up on the seat, went to sleep, and woke up at home.” The mules knew the way back to the farmhouse. His parents purchased land north of Quimby, Iowa in 1940. He often told how, “I drove the John Deere tractor pulling an elevator, a train of wagons and hay racks the whole way, all by myself. I was only 8 years old.”

 Willie attended Rock Township School, and later Quimby Consolidated High School. He often told about skipping school to go hunting and fishing. He had much to say about playing in 3 baseball leagues at the same time, fast pitch softball, pitching a no hitter, breaking his hand while tagging a runner out at home plate, and turning down an invite from the New York Yankees to play spring ball in Florida.

He loved to recall the courtship of his high school sweetheart, Bonita Mae Anderson. Willie and Bonnie had different versions of these memories, but he swore she chased and caught him. They were married on April 8, 1950, a union that lasted over 72 years. They were happily blessed with 6 children in 8 years. Willie worked for area farmers, and the Farmer’s Co-op in Cherokee. He then joined Simonsen’s Fertilizer as a salesman and operator. Commercial fertilizer in the early 1950’s was a new concept, and a bit of a gamble, but he excelled and was the “top man”, as he would say. A road trip with Willie was filled with memories of every farmer that he had as a customer.

Those road trips would also prompt memories of his hunting, trapping, and fishing skills. His fishing trips were an exercise in persistence, and were always rewarded with the “best” fish fry ever. He could go goose hunting before dawn, fish and hunt all day, and then run the coon hounds all night. He even supplied a moose for the dinner table. The family rule of cleaning your plate was a tough go with moose on the menu.

 Willie and Bonnie owned and operated the Marcus Bowl starting in 1969. He had many exciting stories from the business side of the bar. He was very active in the development of the Marcus Community Golf Course, and the organization of a Sportsman’s Club which featured a shooting range and weekend hunts. He was very competitive and loved to play baseball, softball, golf, and of course bowl in several leagues. He loved to win. He was a contributor to all local projects and loved to follow his stock portfolio. Willie and Bonnie took many trips which prompted travel stories, with his favorites being trips to Alaska and Germany. He was a lifetime member of the Lutheran Church, and was proud that his family filled the entire pew, up front of course! The six children had assigned seating in the pew for various and obvious reasons.

 Willie is survived by his 6 children; Dennis (Pam) Husman of Cherokee, IA.; Gloria (Tony) D’Ottavio of Sioux City, IA; Gary (Janice) Husman of Marcus, IA; Karen (Gary) Rupp of Marcus, IA; Pam (Lynn) Mork of Berlin, WI; Mike Husman of Yankton, SD; 18 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. Siblings John (Amy) Husman of Cherokee, IA; Ron (Gloria) Husman of Sioux Falls, SD; Rosemary (Kell) Steffen of Greenville, IA; Sister-in-law Virginia Husman of Quimby, Ia; Brother-in-law John Schmidt of Pflugherville, TX; Numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Bonnie in 2022; daughter-in-law Jackie (Pick) Husman; grandson Dustin Engelbrecht: brother Calvin Husman; sister JoAnn (Husman) Schmidt.

 Just another story, “If ya know what I mean is?”