Emmett J. Sitzmann

Emmett John Sitzmann was born October 5, 1928 to Frank and Christina (Ruhland) Sitzmann, Kingsley, IA.  Emmett grew up in the Kingsley area graduating from Union High School in 1946.  Following graduation Emmett attended Loras College before returning to farm in the Kingsley area until his enlistment in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After his basic training he was stationed in Tokyo where he worked in a medical hospital and was an assistant to the Chaplin until his honorable discharge.  Emmett was proud to be able to serve his country.  Emmett and Lucy Clarey were united in marriage on February 27, 1957.   Emmett and Lucy raised their 12 children living and working on the family farm.  Emmett was a member of St. Joseph Neptune Catholic Church rural Hinton, IA until it was closed in 2008, then became a member of All Saints Parish in LeMars, IA.  Also, he was a member of the American Legion Wasmer Post 241 of LeMars, IA, Knights of Columbus and The Carpenter’s Union.

     Emmett’s foundation was rooted in his faith in God, he was a good man, husband and father who never judged or spoke poorly of anyone.  He enjoyed visiting and being around his grandchildren and great grandchildren, wood working, gardening and spending time with his boys fishing and playing golf.  He could often be heard whistling or singing his favorite song while he went about his business.

 Those left to cherish Emmett’s memory are his wife, Lucy, son, Tom (Tammy) Sitzmann, Hinton,  daughters Chris (Kendal) Sitzmann-Paget, Lincoln, NE, Rae (Jeff) Seizys, Michigan City, IN, Judy (Keith) Miller, Sioux City, IA, sons, Andy (Yvette) Sitzmann, Sioux City, IA, Tony Sitzmann, LeMars, IA, Vincent (Bernadette) Sitzmann, Prairie City, IA, Jeff (Missy) Sitzmann, Cedar Falls, IA, Zach (Anna) Sitzmann, Merrill, IA, and Jacob (Katie) Sitzmann, Juneau, AK, 36 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren and over 400 nieces and nephews. Emmett is also survived by a sister, Fern Boever, Sarasota, FL.

    Preceding Emmet in death were his parents, his daughter Nancy, his son Joshua, siblings Roman, Cecil (Doris), Virgil (Rosie), Ralph (Eldie), Vincent, Alta Marie (Merle) Baxter, Erma (Cy) Droessler, Madonna (Vic) Albino, Florence (Cletus) Kemp, Edna (Franck) Krogman and Christine.

    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Gehlen Catholic School, The Gospel Mission or Catholic Charities.