W. Andrew Emmert

W. Andrew Emmert, the son of George P. and Ina O. (Lamb) Emmert, was born Aug. 12, 1914, in Colfax. Andy grew up in Colfax, and graduated in 1932, from the Newton Senior High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1942, while working for the Des Moines Register and Tribune and the Dale Schlotfeldt garage. Andy spent 45 months in the South West Pacific Theatre during World War II. Upon his return to the states he opened a service station which he ran for about 25 years. On Sept. 2, 1950, Andy was united in marriage with Genevieve Estergard at Clear Lake. Gen would precede him in death on Oct. 18, 1982. Following his retirement from the service station, Andy joined the staff of the funeral home, retiring from the Pence-Reese Funeral Home in 2013. On Feb. 22, 1987, Andy was united in marriage with Carlene (Lattimer) Lorenzen in Newton.

Andy was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Newton. He was a member of the Newton Masonic Lodge #59 A.F. & A.M., Past Master; Knights Templar of Iowa, Past Grand Commander and other constituate bodies; he was a 60+ year member of the American Legion, Newton Post #111 and a life member of the V.F.W., Newton Post #1655. He enjoyed making candy for family and friends during the holidays.

Andy died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014, at Newton Health Care. He was 100 years old. Andy was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Gen; his sister, Ina; his brothers, Alden, John, George and Clayton; his step-son; and one step-granddaughter.

Those left to honor Andy’s memory include his wife, Carlene Emmert of Newton; his step-daughters, Ronda Butler of Newton and Jean Duggan of Newton; his god-son, Dennis Engle of Des Moines; his four step-grandchildren; his 13 step-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his special friends, Gary and Barb Marchant, Dick and Wanda Lammey, Paul and Janice Berry, and Steve Bailey.

A service will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10 at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. A public Masonic service will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be designated in Andy’s name and may be left at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home.