Yanda, Lawrence Joseph

Lawrence Joseph Yanda, 93, died peacefully in his home, surrounded by family, on Friday, Dec. 27, 2013. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Anamosa. Father David O'Connor will officiate at the service. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30, at Goettsch Funeral Home in Anamosa, where a Scripture service will begin at 2:30 p.m. Monday. Burial will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Prairieburg.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.

Surviving are his wife and dance partner of 65 years, Dorothy; children, Mary Lou Emerson of Marion, Julie (Maurice) Yanda-Siebels of Marion, John L. Yanda of Anamosa, Robert L. (Mary) Yanda of Monticello, Anthony (Joni) Yanda of Anamosa, James (Ellen) Yanda of Maplewood, N.J., Bernadette Yanda of Marion and Jennifer (Dean) Koopmann of Anamosa; grandchildren, Katie Yanda, Marshal (Shannon) Yanda, Anne (Brandon) Peterson, Ben Yanda, Alison Yanda, Jacob Koopmann, Aaron Yanda, Angie (Bill) Curtis, Melanie Wilson, Jeremiah (Tracie) Otting and Bradley (Kristy) Emerson; 13 great-grandchildren; and in-laws, George (Alma) Knepper, Betty Trumm, Millie Hosch, John (Ida) Trumm, Lloyd (Lois) Manternach and Donald Fairbanks.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father- and mother-in-law, John and Elizabeth Pottebaum Trumm; a sister, Bernice (Yanda) Fairbanks; in-laws, Fred and Mary Reiter, Leroy and Mary C. Trumm, Robert Trumm and Edwin Hosch; and son-in-law, Hollis Emerson.

Lawrence Yanda was born Nov. 17, 1920, near Prairieburg, Iowa, the son of Ludwig (Lou) and Anna (Ann) Holub Yanda. On June 30, 1948, Lawrence and Dorothy Trumm were united in marriage at St. Peter's Church in Temple Hill, Iowa. He farmed the Yanda Century Farm in Jones County, Cass Township. He was a longtime dairy farmer, transitioning to hogs and cattle in recent years. He was a Crow's seed corn dealer for over 40 years. He received the Jones County Dairy Producers lifetime achievement award.

In 1961, he won the Jones County Corn picking contest then went on to win the regional contest in Marion, before placing at the National Corn Picking Contest in Chillicothe, Mo. He loved the land and farming, making it his life and his legacy.

Lawrence was the longest, continuous member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Anamosa. He was a member of Knights of Columbus for over 50 years, lifetime member of the National Farmers Organization, and the Izaak Walton League in Anamosa.

He was a Cass Township Trustee and worked as an election volunteer. He spent countless hours volunteering for his church and community.

He enjoyed popcorn, lemon drops, kolaches and a cold beer. He loved the annual “boys only” fishing trip to Canada with his son and grandson and also Minnesota fishing trips with his two brothers-in-law, Bobby and George.

Visiting with family and friends or just about anyone could easily consume an afternoon. He loved dancing to western swing music with Dorothy at area ballrooms, especially the Prairiemoon ballroom with the Dave Dighton Band.

The thing he treasured most was spending time with his family and friends. He was a loving husband, a kind father and a proud grandpa and great-grandpa.

Published Dec. 29, 2013 in The Gazette