Virgil Reckward

Virgil Reckward, 88, of Castalia died Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014, at Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian.

Memorial services were held Thursday, Jan. 23, at Ossian Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dave Lenth as the officiant.

Inurnment followed in Pleasant View Cemetery in Castalia.

Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Ossian, assisted the family with the arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.graufuneralhomes.com.

Virgil Delbert Reckward was born May 16, 1925 to Herman and Mabel (Harvey) Reckward in rural Castalia. He attended country school through the eighth grade and the Castalia High School.

He was united in marriage with Esther Holm on Aug. 28, 1943, in Elkader and to this union five children were born. Virgil farmed his entire life with his family. He was a member of the Castalia United Methodist Church where he served on the board and was president for many years.

Some of Virgil’s fondest memories were proposing to his wife and talking to his Grandpa Harvey. He enjoyed old time country music, such as, Hank Williams and Johnny Cash.

Virgil and Esther enjoyed dancing for many years. His hobbies include, woodworking (he made numerous pieces of furniture, shelves, frames and wooden toys for his family) he also enjoyed repairing furniture, jigsaw puzzles, word puzzles, word search, reading and flowers. Virgil was known as “Mr. Fix-it” and was ready to lend a helping hand or give advice on how to fix something. He milked cows into his 70’s and kept up his large lawn and flower garden for many years.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jim Reckwar, a granddaughter, Amy Monroe, and his parents.

Virgil is survived by his wife of seventy years, Esther of Castalia; his children, Pat (Jerry) Monroe of Castalia, Jerry (Julie) Reckward of Castalia, Sue (Dale) Lenth of Castalia and Gin (Roger) Sanford of Decorah; a daughter-in-law, Judy Reckward of Decorah; twelve grandchildren, Chad Reckward, Brad (Jennifer) Reckward, Dennis (Mandy) Reckward, Darin Reckward, Julie (Matt) Metille, Summer (Chris) Wiedow; Richard (Lisa) Reckward, Jeannie (Steve) Daughton, April (Ty) Hamilton, Joe (Augusta) Lenth, Nichole (fiancé, Nate Jevne) and Danielle Aldredge; twenty great-grandchildren, Hayden, Macy, Ani, Olivia, Britann, Blake, Makinzie, Parker, Luke, Dalton, Kolton, Jessica, Sam, Jordan, Kourtney, Hope (Jason), Dakota, Stella, Brooke and Gabriella and three great-great grandchildren, Colton, Hunter and Landin.