Elmer P. Reicherts

Elmer P. Reicherts, 78, of Swaledale, Iowa, died Friday, Nov.1, 2013 at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home in Rockwell, Iowa.

Per Elmer’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded and a memorial service will be held at

 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013 at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Kenneth B. Gehling officiating.  

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Elmer P. Reicherts Memorial Fund in care of his family.

Elmer was born Oct. 16, 1935 in Elma, Iowa, the son of Mathias Reicherts and Mame (Mary) Mealy.  He attended country school in Riceville, Iowa.  Elmer and Blanche married at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, Iowa, on Nov. 9, 1956.  The couple was blessed with five children and lived in the Garner-Ventura area the majority of their married life.

Elmer sold farm equipment and worked for farmers throughout his life. Later on, he drove school bus for the Clear Lake School District transporting preschool and special needs students, as well as extracurricular activities such as football, band, speech and many other events.  He maintained the wind farm properties south of Ventura through this summer. 

He and Blanche delivered Winnebago motorhomes throughout the United States and Canada for several years (back before there was GPS or cell phones). There are many interesting stories of those travels. 

His hobbies included hunting in Michigan with his friends, as well as locally with his son, grandsons and nephews.  There were numerous trips to Cabela’s and other outdoor sporting goods stores.  He enjoyed watching football games with family as well as keeping all of his bird feeders full.  He was a member of the Swaledale City Council for the past five years and enjoyed doing various projects around the house.

Elmer was a member of the Knights of Columbus for about 10 years and was instrumental in getting an elevator installed in the church, a refurbished parking lot, new kitchen and handicap accessible church bus.  He also drove the church bus for several years.  He was known for the best French toast the Knights ever had and they still use his recipe to this day.

He is survived by his wife, Blanche Reicherts; son, Dennis (Kelly), Browndale, Pa.; daughters, Jan (Wayne) Anderson, Clear Lake, Vonnie Reicherts, Swaledale, Iowa, and Wendy (Randy) Whitehurst, Clear Lake; grandchildren, Mariela (Chris) Altott, Copperas Cove, Texas, Daniel (Fiona) Reicherts, Belton, Texas, Peter (Jessica) Reicherts, Copperas Cove, Eric (Kim) Reicherts, Sheffield, Iowa, Lacey (Kisha) Phillips, Mason City, Mathias (Emily) Morris, Pine Mountain, Ga., and Gracie Whitehurst, Clear Lake.  Elmer is also survived by six great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law. 

Elmer is preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Connie Kay; and brothers, Bob (Marcella) Reicherts, Carl (Lois) Reicherts, and Dale Reicherts. 

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.