Agnes Topf died Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital in Decorah, Iowa after a short illness. She was 79 years of age.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 28, 2008 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Thomas Topf will celebrate and Rev. Donald Hertges will concelebrate. Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday, January 27, 2008 at the Schmitz Funeral Home where there will be a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Monday from 10 a.m. until time of services.
Agnes Ann Schildmeyer was born on January 8, 1929, at St. Lucas, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Wulf) Schildmeyer, the third of eight children. Agnes was a student of St. Francis De Sales, where she played basketball and a student of Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa.
She married Omer Francis Topf on April 12, 1950 at St. Joseph Church in Salix, Iowa, officiated by Father Kirchoff. Agnes and Omer started farming in Salix, Iowa, after being married and moved to Ossian, Iowa in 1957. Agnes and Omer settled in on the farm two miles north on the Ossian-Decorah blacktop, and later moved to Ossian in 1983.
Agnes is survived by her husband, Omer F. Topf; five children, Mary Beth Topf, of West Allis, WI, Anthony Topf (Catherine) of Wonder Lake, IL, Margaret Reynolds (Michael) of Milwaukee, WI, Stephen Topf of Joliet, IL, and Daniel Topf (Ann) of Ames, IA; ten grandchildren: Nicholas, Greg and Maureen Topf; David Scholz and Katy Reynolds; Regina, Ryan and Patrick Topf; Madeline and John Topf; and two great-granddaughters, Coralyn and Grace Topf. She is also survived by two brothers: Bruno Schildmeyer of West Covina, CA, and Joseph Schildmeyer of Ossian, IA; three sisters: Mary Schildmeyer Apel of LaCrosse, WI, Sister Elizabeth Ann (Margaret) Schildmeyer of Michigan City, and Frances (Schildmeyer) Topf of Orange, CA.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Elizabeth Schildmeyer, a sister, Ann Schildmeyer and a brother, William Schildmeyer.
Agnes worked in the dietary department in Wellington Place Nursing Home in Freeport, Iowa. Prior to that, she helped out at the family farm, working with livestock, driving tractor, helping with crops, as well as other farming activities and chores. On the farm, Agnes sold eggs and always enjoyed visiting with her friends as they picked up their purchases. Agnes’ specialty was her blue ribbon-winning homemade bread. She would bake bread for the family which, most times, was completely eaten before the bread was even cooled.
Agnes enjoyed playing cards, visiting friends, and spending time with her grandchildren. She also loved watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and fishing in Minnesota. She was involved with the community, as a member of The Jubilee Squares square dancers and was a member and past president of the St. Francis De Sales Catholic Rosary Society in Ossian.
She was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.