Floyd Wempe

Floyd John Wempe, son of John Bernard Wempe and Christine Susan Reiff Wempe was born July 7, 1924, in Breda, Iowa, and died February 7, 2005 in Perry, Iowa at the age of 80 years, and 7 months. Floyd attended Otho High School and graduated Summa Cumlaude with the class of 1943. After graduation, Floyd entered the United States Army Air Force and served in the 15th Air Force in Fogia, Italy as a machine gunner on a B-17 aircraft. He was honorably discharged in December 1945. Upon returning to the states, he attended tech school in Ft. Dodge and Chicago, Illinois. On June 15, 1948, Floyd was united in marriage to Catherine Elaine Hart at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Ft. Dodge. Floyd and Elaine raised five children: Jeanne, Margaret, Teresa, Dave and Donald. He worked in Ft. Dodge as an appliance repairman for Montgomery Ward. In January 1950, he transferred and became the Service Manager for the Montgomery Ward store located in Perry. When the Perry location closed, he went to work for Don's TV and Appliance, where he remained for the next 10 years. After leaving Don's, Floyd owned and operated Floyd's Store, Ltd. for 20 years. Floyd was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church since his move to Perry in 1950. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, as well as a past member of the Elks and Moose Lodges. Floyd found much enjoyment playing golf and targetshooting. He also loved to dance. Floyd was preceded in death by his parents; infant son James Michael; and brother Kenneth Wempe. Survivors include his wife Elaine of Perry; daughters: Jeanne Stewart and her husband Jim of Ames, Margaret Meyers and her husband Mark of Ankeny, and Teresa Malchesky and her husband Victor of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sons: Donald Wempe of Huxley and Dave Wempe and his wife Minnette of Marshall, Minnesota; grandchildren: Paul Stewart of Denver, Colorado, Matthew Stewart of Ames, Jennifer Meyers of Mitchellville, Kim Meyers of Ankeny and Paul Wempe and his wife Kim of Alexandria, Minnesota; two great-grandchildren: Adrian and Gavin Wempe of Alexandria, Minnesota; sisters: LaVon Rude and her husband Glenn of Ft. Dodge and Joan George and her husband Bill of Morland; other relatives and a host of friends.