Loretta Elizabeth Kommes

Loretta Elizabeth Kommes, the daughter of Peter and Anna (Kalkhoff) Thielen, was born February 9, 1921, at her parents’ home near Templeton, Iowa and died September 8, 2012, at the Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Iowa at the age of 91 years, 6 months, and 29 days. Loretta was baptized and confirmed at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Templeton. She attended the Sacred Heart Parochial School in Templeton then helped on the family farm. On June 12 1939, she was united in marriage to John C. Kommes at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Templeton. Four children, Lavern, Marlene, Marilyn, and Denny were born to this union. They operated the Kommes family farm east of Exira near Littlefield Lake their entire married life. They grew grain and raised livestock for many years. Loretta was a devoted housewife and mother. They were a loving couple and always worked together. They retired from farming but continued to live on the farm. John became ill and Loretta took care of him at home until he died on August 23, 1992. Loretta lived at home and then later moved to the Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Iowa in 2004. In addition to her family, Loretta had a deep devotion to her faith. She was an active member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Exira, Iowa. She was a member of the Ladies Altar and Rosary Society in which she held several offices and also was a religion teacher. Loretta enjoyed gardening and cooking but her greatest joy was her children and grandchildren. She will always be remembered for her hard work and taking care of her family and the family farm. Loretta was preceded in death by her husband John C. Kommes; her granddaughter Lynette Paulsen; her parents; her brother Leo Thielen; and her sisters Anna and husband Henry Langel and Irene and husband Lawrence Lutwitze. Survivors include her children Lavern Kommes of Exira, Iowa, Marlene and husband David Wallace of Coon Rapids, Iowa, Marilyn and husband Larry Paulsen of Exira, Iowa and Denny Kommes of Exira, Iowa and his special friend Michaela Hayden of Omaha, Nebraska; her grandchildren Lori Kommes of Des Moines, Iowa, Michelle Kommes of Oahu, Hawaii, Dean and wife Ann Wallace of Carroll, Iowa, Denise and husband Richard Schultes of Dedham, Iowa, Deb and husband Brett Irlmeier of Audubon, Iowa, Diane and husband Brent Baumhover of Carroll, Iowa, Denny and wife Stacey Wallace of Evanston, Wyoming, Deanna and husband Matt Van Meter of Guthrie Center, Iowa, Luanne and husband Heath Kasperbauer of Coon Rapids, Iowa, Tracy Paulsen and special friend Patrick Dillon both of Grimes, Iowa; her great grandchildren Erin, Hailey, Taylor, and Dylan Wallace all of Carroll, Iowa Jesse and Chance Schultes both of Dedham, Iowa Kali Irlmeier of Audubon, Iowa Blake and Karly Baumhover both of Carroll, Iowa Brayden and Weston Wallace both of Evanston, Wyoming Paige, Cole, and Lexi Van Meter all of Guthrie Center, Iowa Sybrina and Syrus Stice and Karly Kasperbauer all of Coon Rapids, Iowa; 5 step great grandchildren; her sister-in-law Bertilla Thielen of Manning, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery east of Exira, Iowa.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Wednesday evening September 12, 2012 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. with a rosary recitation at 7:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa.

Service:
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Andrew Hoffmann on Thursday, September 13, 2012, at 10:00 A.M. at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids, Iowa.