Joseph Firsching

Joseph “Joe” Matthew Firsching, 89, of Mason City, passed away peacefully, Friday, Oct. 17, 2014, with his family by his side.  

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. with a one hour prior visitation on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 5th St. S.E., Mason City.  Father Rodney Allers will be officiating.  Inurnment will follow at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Those planning on expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Joseph Firsching Memorial fund.  Online condolences may be left at www.fullertonfh.com.

Joe was born on May 2, 1925, the son of George and Theresa (Biederer) Firsching in Stacyville, Iowa. He attended a one room school house in rural Mitchel County. On May 25, 1949, he married the love of his life, Helen Elizabeth Heinzerling, at Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville. 

Joe spent a lifetime in agriculture, working for 23 years at Decker Farms south of Mason City. In 1975 they moved to Taopi, Minn., and farmed there until his retirement in 1985.

Joe and Helen returned to Mason City where Joe continued farming on a part-vtime basis until his passing. He worked for Darrell Nielson, Chuck Grove, and the Furleigh Farms, all of Clear Lake. Joe was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1960. 

He was an avid reader and loved camping, fishing and playing cards with friends.   Joe also enjoyed spending winters in Arizona. 

Those left to honor his memory are his children, John (Sandi) Firsching of Webster City, Dennis (Sue) Firsching of Mason City, Mary (Leon) Thomas of Mason City, and Jean Oimoen of Rockford; nine grandchildren; Jeffrey Firsching, William (Jodene) Firsching, Chad (Kelly) Firsching, Matthew (Jackie) Firsching, Dylan (Annie) Thomas, Derek (Sara) Thomas, Alyssa Thomas, Robin (Will) Esclusa and Michael Oimoen; nine great-grandchildren, Isaac and Luke Firsching, Russell Firsching, Dylan Firsching, Cole Thomas, Weston Thomas, Kaitlyn Lester, Eric Pals and Victor Esclusa; two sisters, Gertrude Retterath of Austin, Minn., and Teresa Ungaro of San Pedro, Calif.; sisters in law, Betty Vaage and Barbara Alice Heinzerling, both of Mason City, as well as many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Helen; brothers Lawrance, John, George; and sisters Rose Rauen, Margaret Schmitt, Alma Retterath, and Laura Firsching

Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 2nd St. S.E., Mason City, is in charge of services.