- Date Of Birth: May 12, 1930
- Date Of Death: November 13, 2014
- State: Iowa
Agnes Foertsch, age 84, and Edward Foertsch, age 88, of Algona, Iowa died on Thursday, November 13, 2014. Agnes Emma Hellman was born May 12, 1930, to Florian and Martha (Elsbecker) Hellman in Bancroft.
She graduated from St. John High School in Bancroft in 1948. She was a homemaker who took great joy in sewing, gardening, canning, baking and spending time with all her children. She was especially known for her homemade angel food cakes. Edward John Foertsch was born February 8, 1926 to William and Theresia (Wirth) Foertsch. He attended school in Wesley and helped on the family farm until joining the Army in 1944. He was a proud veteran of WWII serving in the 42nd Infantry Rainbow Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his bravery. Ed and Agnes were married on May 4, 1954 at St. John’s Catholic Church. They started life together on a farm near St. Benedict. In 1957, they moved to their farm near Burt and farmed until retiring in 2004.
Upon retirement they moved to a home in Algona. They had 10 children; Dan (Kathy) of Algona, Janet (Virgel) Johnson of Burt, Mark (deceased in 1996), (Nancy and Terry Foertsch-Brenneman) of Ruthven, Judy (Brian) Rahe of New Ulm, Minnesota, Phil (Annette) Foertsch of Bondurant, Dale Foertsch of Algona, Joyce (Bonaven) Urich of Delta, Colorado, Pat (Lisa) Foertsch of Burt, Alan (Barb) Foertsch of Clive and Jean (John) Long of Omaha, Nebraska; 35 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Ed and Agnes enjoyed attending their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren’s many actives and events. They loved playing cards, trips to the casino and spending time with their friends, especially Sunday morning breakfast. Ed made birdhouses and was an expert at spray painting. Agnes spent lots of time quilting blankets and mending clothes. Ed and Agnes were always there for anyone who needed them and blessed our lives in so many ways. Their strong love and commitment to each other was an inspiration and a true testament to what love and marriage should be. Inseparable in this life, together in eternity.
Agnes is survived by her brother Bill Hellman of Bancroft; sisters Mildred (Frank) Erpelding of Burt, Sr. Lila Hellman of Dubuque, Evelyn (Alfred) Julius of Bancroft and Joann Hellman of Bancroft. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother. Ed is survived by one sister Irene (Lyle) Kuyper of Algona. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and eight sisters. Ed and Agnes were also preceded in death by their son Mark and a grandson Taylor, son of Pat and Lisa.
