Carl Bottjen

Hawarden, Iowa: Carl Bottjen, 95, of Hawarden, Iowa died Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at the Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa. A funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 9, 2013 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawarden with Rev. David Zirpil officiating. Burial will follow at the Grace Hill Cemetery. Visitation will begin at noon on Thursday with a Time of Sharing at 7:00 p.m. followed by visitation with the family until 8:30 p.m. at the Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Carl W. Bottjen was born May 14, 1918 at Moville, Iowa, the son of George and Minnie (Burow) Bottjen. He attended school near Moville. Carl served in the US Army with the 115th Medical Battalion. He was inducted March 12, 1941 and served overseas in southern Philippines and Hawaii. He was decorated with service ribbons and good conduct medal before his honorable discharge on August 16, 1945.

Carl married Gladys Holtgrewe September 3, 1947 at the Christ Lutheran Church in Remsen, Iowa. They farmed near Kingsley, Moville, Paullina, and later near Sutherland before moving to Hawarden in 1960. Carl was employed with the Iowa Breeders Association and later the Midwest Breeders working with cattle. He then worked as an insurance agent before becoming the janitor at Trinity Lutheran Church. He also ran a carpet cleaning business.

He was a long time member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawarden and enjoyed fishing, gardening, and especially doing wood working.

Carl is survived by his 3 children, Gloria and her husband Garland Lenz of Sioux City, Iowa, Craig and his wife Pat of Remsen, Iowa, and Fay and her husband David Utesch of Chariton, Iowa; 5 grandchildren, Dawn Wellein, Todd Lenz, Adam Bottjen, Jessica Brown, and Kimberly Cain; 8 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Cecil Bottjen of Sioux City, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Gladys on January 5, 2013; grandson, Ryan Utesch; 5 brothers; and 2 sisters.