Earl Beisell

EARL BEISELL

Anamosa

Earl B. Beisell, 87, died March 18, 2015, at Anamosa Care Center following a recent illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Anamosa. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, with military honors. Visitation will start with a parish vigil service at 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 20, at Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa, where friends may call to share memories and condolences from 5 to 8 p.m.

If you choose, you may make memorials to St. Patrick Catholic School or Camp Courageous.

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

He is survived by his wife, Kathryn; three children, Kathy (Gary) Eilers of Anamosa, Susan Patnode of Palatine, Ill., and Nancy (David) Schroeder of Marion; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are siblings, Doug (Sharlene) Beisell, Connie (Gerald) Freimark and Lois (Robert) Cutberth.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, Mary Patricia (O'Brien) and Patricia Ann (Tagge); his son, William Joseph; and sisters, Charleen Marshall and Cleone Housman.

Earl B. Beisell was born Jan. 20, 1928, in Goldfield, Iowa, the son of Art and Jessie (Richardson) Beisell. He graduated from Goldfield High School in 1945. He honorably served in the U.S. Army during World War II and graduated from Iowa State in 1950, with a degree in civil engineering.

Earl worked 11 years for the Iowa Department of Transportation and three years as assistant Marion County engineer before dedicating 28 years of service to Jones County, including 24 years as Jones County engineer.

When he began working in Jones County in 1955, the roads were 100 percent dirt covered. Earl drove the modernization of county roads which now include 150 miles of paved roads.

Earl was very active in the local community. He participated and held leadership positions in many groups. He was a charter member of the Anamosa Jaycees. He was a member of St. Patrick's Church and volunteered for 14 years for the Grant Wood Society and Gallery. He participated and held leadership positions in Anamosa Rotary Club and Knights of Columbus where he was a third degree member. Earl was a life member of Iowa Engineering Society and American Society of Civil Engineers. Additionally, he served as president of National Association County Engineers (NACE). He was a past president of the Anamosa Hospital board. Earl loved golf and was a longtime member of Fawn Creek Country Club, where he spent many hours of enjoyment with family and friends.

Earl's easy smile and kind and generous spirit brightened the lives of those who had the pleasure to know him.