Willard Miene

Willard Jerome William Miene, 76, of Luana died Friday, October 3, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Center, Postville. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 18 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville, with Rev. Steve Brackett as the Officiant. Inurnment will follow at Postville Cemetery, Postville. Visitation will be Friday, October 17 from 3-8 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville, with one-hour visitation before services at the church Saturday.
Willard was born March 5, 1938 to Fred W. and Frances (Gilson) Miene on the home farm in rural Luana. Willard was baptized April 28, 1928 and confirmed March 18, 1951 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville by Rev. Frederick R. Ludwig. He graduated from Luana Consolidated High School in 1957.
Willard was united in marriage with Karla Smith January 30, 1960 at First Lutheran in Decorah. Four children were born to this union. Willard was a farmer all of his life, he was a dairy farmer until 1984 and retired completely from farming in 2008. He was also the custodian for St. Paul Lutheran Church from 1984-2011.
Willard was a lifetime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville, a past Master Corn Grower and he belonged to Rivers and Bluffs Classic Tractors Club. He enjoyed parades, especially being in them. In 1989, he built “The Wonder Wheel,” a unique parade vehicle created with two Agri-Gator flotation tires and a lot of ingenuity. He also enjoyed Country and Bluegrass music, from the Leo Greco Band to Johnny Cash to Joey & Rory. Willard loved everything IH Farmall: tractor shows, tractor pulls, tractor restoration and especially tractor rides.
Willard is survived by his wife of 54 years, Karla, of Luana; his children, Cindy (Gene) Suhr of Aurelia, Kay (Randy) Imoehl of Decorah and Kurt (Kris) Miene of Lawton; his grandchildren, Tina (John) Ishii, Taylor Miene, Joseph Suhr, Tanner Imoehl, Makenzi Miene and Thomas Imoehl; his sisters, Patricia (Robert) Dotseth of Decorah and Erma Swenson of Postville; his sisters-in-law, Sharon (Harold) Miene of Postville, Karen (Wayne) Miene of Monona, Inez (Victor) Vidmar of Colorado Springs, CO, Julie (Ron) Steffens of Orange Beach, AL and Penny (Gerald) Zubrod of Cresco; his bothers-in-law, Gordon (Sandy) Smith of Cedar Rapids and Arlan (Rhonda) Smith of Gulf Shores, AL; and many nieces and nephews.
Willard was preceded in death by his son, Keith Miene; his parents, Fred and Frances Miene; his brothers, Harold and Wayne Miene; his brothers-in-law, Marlin Swenson and David Cotent; his nephew, Michael Smith; and his niece and goddaughter, Sandra Ehrhardt.
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Postville is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville and Good Samaritan Center, Postville.