Elias Zweibahmer, 99
Sat, 07/17/2021 - 1:08pm
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July 6, 1922 —
July 15, 2021
CRESCO - Elias Zweibahmer, age 99, of Cresco, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at Accura HealthCare in Cresco.
A funeral Mass was held on Monday, July 19, 2021 at Notre Dame Catholic Church. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery in Cresco. Lindstrom Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Elias Arnold Zweibahmer was born at home on July 6, 1922 to Clem J. and Walburga (Huinker) Zweibahmer in rural Calmar, Iowa. He attended St. Aloysius School in Calmar through the eighth grade. In later years he worked as a hired hand for many families in the area. During that time he met the love of his life, Dorothy Rothmeyer.
He was drafted into the United States Army in 1944. He trained as an infantry soldier, and soon found himself in the jungles of the Philippines, carrying a rocket launcher, known as a bazooka. He was discharged in 1946 and returned to the Ossian, Iowa area. Three short months later, he married his sweetheart, Dorothy. The couple lived in Ft. Atkinson, Iowa, where they welcomed their first daughter. They then moved to a farm near Ossian, where their second daughter was born. Later they moved near Cresco, where they farmed for eight years. After that time, they moved near Kendallville, Iowa, continuing to farm for a number of years. Following retirement they made their home in Cresco, until his death.
Elias had a strong work ethic. He was always ready to help his friends and neighbors and had a heart of gold! During his 57 years of marriage to Dorothy, the couple enjoyed going to casinos and had the opportunity to take various trips together. Elias also liked reading the newspaper and visiting with family.
Survivors include his two daughters, Cynthia Ptacek-Voves (Ed) of Elma, Iowa, and Susan (Jerry) Patterson of St. Ansgar, Iowa; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; three great-great-grand- children; three step-granddaughters; five step-great-grand- daughters; brothers and sisters in-law, Donald Huinker, Richard (Lou) Rothmeyer, Norma (Norbert) Holshbach; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; a sister, Ruth in infancy; mother and father-in-law, Florian and Kathryn Rothmeyer; son-in-law, James Ptacek; brother, Cyril (Ruth) Zweibahmer; sisters, Iona (Bob) Kubesh, Dorothy (Frank) Ludwig, Catherine Huinker; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Jerome (Katie) Rothmeyer, Alice (Robert) Elfner, Kenneth Rothmeyer, Dale Rothmeyer and Mary (James) Hosek.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to Howard County Hospice or the charity of your choice.
