Everett Rechtenbach

Everett Earl Rechtenbach died Monday, March 30, 2009, at Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa, at the age of 85 years, 2 months and 11 days.

Everett was born January, 19, 1924, at his home in Bridgewater, Iowa, to Herman J. and Anna K. Frank Rechtenbach. He attended school in rural Jackson Township. After his formal education he worked for his father and neighbors on the farm. He served in the US Army from May 1945, to December 1946, training at Fort Hood, Texas, and then serving in the occupational army in Germany as a mail clerk. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to the farm. He started to work for Culligan Soft Water Service in Atlantic in January 1950, and retired in 1986, after 36 years.

On August 6, 1950, he was united in marriage to Evelyn Marckmann at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, Iowa. Two daughters, Judy and Janis, were born to this union. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith on February 11, 1951. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic, serving on the church council, and was chairman of the property committee for many years. He was a member of the American Legion Post #247 in Fontanelle, and the Friends of the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn.

Everett loved to travel; he and Evelyn having visited all 50 states and several foreign countries. He also enjoyed camping, fishing, playing cards, crossword puzzles, and tending to his vegetable garden. He loved attending his grandsons' 4-H, school and sporting activities. Activities involving family were special to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son-in-law James "Ed" Schwenneker; his two brothers and their wives, Verlin and Ethel Rechtenbach, and Wayne and Sarah Rechtenbach; two nephews and a niece.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Evelyn; his daughter Judy Schwenneker of Exira, his daughter Janis and her husband Dick Rabenold of Pleasant Hill; grandsons, Brent and wife Samantha Schwenneker and Jason Schwenneker, all of Ankeny, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 3, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Following a luncheon at the church, burial will be at the Fontanelle Cemetery, east of Fontanelle, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2009, at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic.