Erwin Voss

Erwin Voss was born on February 27, 1918 to Ernest and Frieda (Stellhorn) Voss in St. Louis, Mo. At the age of 1, his family moved to the Rising City area in Nebraska, where his father was hired help to a local farm family. Later they became tenant farmers during the dust bowl days of the Great Depression. Erwin attended a Lutheran parochial school and then continued to farm with his father. In 1938 the family moved to rural Rochester, IA and then on to rural Durant, IA where they continued to tenant farm. During this time Erwin worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps in southeastern Iowa and also attended Diesel Mechanic training. In 1941 the Voss's moved to rural Bennett, IA where they later purchased a farm. On March 3, 1946 Erwin married Helen Elizabeth Schember in Clinton, Ia. and lived and farmed on two rental properties near Bennett. In 1951 Erwin and Helen purchased land near Erwin's parents and built a home where they farmed for the next 51 years. He lived on his farm for a total of 57 years and was engaged in farming almost his entire life. Erwin especially enjoyed working the fields and raising beef cattle. Erwin was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and served on several board positions there. He was a member of Cedar County Farm Bureau and other farm related groups. In 2008 Erwin moved to Minnesota. He passed away on January 29, 2011 at St. Mary's Care Center in Winsted, MN at the age of 92. Erwin was preceded in death by his wife, parents, sister, Norma Otto, and great-granddaughter, Annaleah Borg. He is survived by son, Kenneth (wife, Dolores) of Garland, TX, and their children, David and Sam, stepchildren, Dan Hawkins and Jenny Kensinger; daughter, LaVonne of Coralville, IA; daughter, Mary Behrens (husband, David) of Lester Prairie, MN, and their children, Sarah Borg, Leah Borg, Hannah, Naomi, Josiah and Rebekah; and son, Bruce (wife, Hylie) of Southlake, TX, and their children, Annie and Katie. He is further survived by 5 great-grandchildren, a brother, Vernon (wife, Mary Lou) of rural Bennett; and sister, Wilma Pearson (husband, Frank) of Iowa City, IA. Visitation will be at 9am on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bennett followed by a funeral service at 10am. Erwin will be buried at Inland Cemetery, rural Bennett, next to his wife, Helen, and his parents. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials may be made to The Lutheran Hour radio broadcast.