Walter F. Schuerer

Walter F. Schuerer, age 96, of Amana, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2017, at his home. Funeral service: 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 16, 2017, at the Middle Amana Community Church, Middle Amana with Elder Harold Pitz officiating. Burial will be in the Amana Cemetery with military honors. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, January 15, 2017, at the Middle Amana Community Church. Memorials can be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is assisting the family with arrangements.

Walter is survived by his three children Ronald Schuerer of East Amana, Gerald (Fay) Schuerer of Amana and Madeline Schulte of Amana; three grandchildren Rayme Schuerer (Michelle) of Amana, Jennifer Kaefring (Kevin) of Williamsburg and Rob Schuerer (Alissa) of Shueyville; four great-grandchildren; and his beloved pets and champion, Dixieland Luke, and his Brittanies Kyla, Josie and Pearl. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Florence in 2014, two brothers George and Harold, a son-in-law Keith “Skeeter” Schulte, a daughter-in-law Linda Schuerer, a brother-in-law John Rettig, and a sister-in-law Doris Rettig.

Walter Schuerer was born August 28, 1920, in Amana, the son of Walter and Magdalena Oehl Schuerer. He graduated from the Amana Schools in 1938. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943-1946, during the Battle of the Bulge, receiving his bronze star medal. Walter was united in marriage to Florence Rettig on January 30, 1946, in Davenport, Iowa. In his earlier years, he worked at the East Amana Farm, the Amana Meat Shop, the Colony Inn from 1946-1990, and later joining the Brick Haus Restaurant from 1990-2010. In 1963, he started Cedar Lane Farm, where he raised Angus cattle, German Shorthair Pointers, Brittany Spaniels, and horses. He was a member of the American Legion Post 234, Amana Heritage Society, Amana Society, Amana Church, and the Iowa Restaurant Association. Walter loved driving and looking at the country side and farms, driving through the Amana Villages and reminiscing and explaining their history, hunting and his daily feedings of his Koi in his fish pond. Walter enjoyed being around people, and was well recognized throughout the world as being a great ambassador for the Amana Colonies. He especially loved his trips with Florence to Japan, Germany, Austria, Portugal, Spain, Africa, Brazil and Italy.

A very special thanks to Tanya Collentine and Dr. Maryann Nelson for their exceptional care.