Omer Topf

Omer Francis Topf, 83, of Ossian died Monday, February 20, 2012 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, February 25 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian. Burial followed in the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery.
Omer was born December 4, 1928 in Sergeant Bluff to Omer C. and Florence (Deegan) Topf. His grandparents were Earnest and Elizabeth Topf and William and Katherine Deegan. Omer graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in Salix and attended Loras College in Dubuque.
Omer was united in marriage to Agnes Ann Schildmeyer April 12, 1950 by Rev. Paul Kirchoff at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salix. Five children were born to this union. Omer farmed in Salix for seven years and served in the Iowa National Guard. In 1957, Omer and Agnes moved to Ossian, where they settled in on the family farm two miles north of town. Here they had a very successful hog and dairy operation.
During this time, Omer served on the board of directors of Union Produce Cooperative, Meadowland Dairies (Wisconsin Dairies), Ossian Senior Hospice, and Ossian Housing, Inc. He served as a leader for The Ossian All-Stars 4-H Club for over 20 years. In 1980, Omer started as a DeKalb Seeds dealer, where he used his farming experience to sell seed corn and alfalfa to local farmers.
In 1983, Omer sold the farm and moved to Ossian, where he wore many different “hats.” He continued to sell DeKalb Seeds to farmers in the community. He drove school bus for South Winneshiek Community Schools, driving generations of children until the present day. Omer also obtained his real estate license and sold properties for Jack Sweeney Real Estate of Waukon. Here he sold a large number of homes and farms to many people in the northeast Iowa area. He also continued his community service work with the Knights of Columbus, St. Francis de Sales Church, and many other organizations.
Omer’s hobbies included fishing, reading, traveling, dancing, touring antique farm shows, watching sports, and visiting with friends. In the summer, he would take a trip “Up North” to spend time fishing in a number of different areas of Minnesota with family and friends. He also enjoyed traveling, with recent trips to Ireland and Italy. Omer also enjoyed polka dancing with the Skyliners Polka Club and spending time with special friend, Anita Schissel. He was a New Orleans Saints and Chicago Cubs fan.
Survivors include his five children, Mary Beth Topf of West Allis, WI, Anthony (Catherine) Topf of Wonder Lake, IL, Margaret (Michael) Reynolds of Milwaukee, WI, Stephen (Lee Ann) Topf of Joliet, IL, and Daniel (Ann) Topf of Ames; 10 grandchildren, Nicholas (Vanessa) Topf, Greg (Shannon) Topf and Maureen Topf, David (Kara) Scholz and Katy Reynolds, Regina, Ryan and Patrick Topf, and Madeline and John Topf; three great-granddaughters, Coralyn, Grace and Alysia Topf; a sister, Marilyn (David) Jonas of Mansfield, TX; four brothers, William (Frances) Topf of Orange, CA, Phillip (Dorothy) Topf of Cedar Rapids, Rev. Thomas Topf of Sioux City and Mark (Betty) Topf of Dubuque; and a sister-in-law, Lorna Topf of Sioux City.
Omer is preceded in death by his wife, Agnes Topf, January 23, 2008; his parents, Omer and Florence Topf; and a brother, Robert Topf.
Condolences may be left at www.graufuneralhomes.com. Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Ossian assisted the family with arrangements.