Obituary – Gilbert Niedermann

Gilbert Niedermann, 89, of Reinbeck, passed away on Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 at the Westbrook Acres Nursing Home in Gladbrook. Funeral services were held on Monday, July 12th, 2010 10:30 am at the French-Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck with Pastor Bruce Boyce officiating. Interment will follow funeral services at the Reinbeck Cemetery with military rites led by the local American Legion Post 242. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit our website at  HYPERLINK “http://www.abelsfuneralhomes.com” #www.abelsfuneralhomes.com Gilbert was born on January 22, 1921, in Lincoln Township, Iowa, the son of Julius & Marie (Ohrt) Niedermann. He grew up in Dinsdale and attended school there. In 1943, Gilbert enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Pacific until 1946. After returning home from the war, Gilbert attended a dance at the Forest Ballroom in Marshalltown where he met the love of his life Bernadine Mattingly. The two were later united in marriage on November 2, 1946 in Tama. They welcomed 5 children. The two remained in the Tama area until 1956, when they relocated to Reinbeck and had remained there ever since. He worked as a farmer and later worked for Gethmans Construction in Gladbrook. In 1956, he took a job as a welder at John Deere in Waterloo, later retiring from there. He also did carpentry work on the side. Gilbert was a member of St. Johnís Lutheran Church in Reinbeck, the American Legion Post 242 in Reinbeck, the Cedar Valley Polka Club and the Polka Club of America. He enjoyed carpentry, polka dancing, playing Solitaire and spending his time with his family. Gilbert is survived by his children Marilyn Carstensen of Gladbrook, Eunice (Tom) Jacobsen of Allen, TX, Shirley Niedermann of Center Point, IA, Eldon Niedermann of Ft. Worth, TX and Sandra (Jerry) Schweer of Center Point, IA; 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Bernadine; his parents; brothers Lester and Kenneth Niedermann, two infant brothers Raymond & James; sisters Lorene Clar & Myrta Meeks, and son-in-law Floyd Carstensen.