In Memory of Roy D. Wilson

Roy D. Wilson, age 87, of Galva, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at his daughter’s residence of Jefferson, South Dakota.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, May 19, 2014 at Silver Creek United Methodist Church; located south of Galva, Iowa. The Reverend Kristin D. Boysen & Reverend Jeffrey C. Vore will officiate. Burial will follow at the Galva Township East Cemetery of Galva, Iowa with Military Rites conducted by the Dibbern Post Post No. 454 of the American Legion. Visitation will be held Sunday, May 18, 2014 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Roy David Wilson was born on November 19, 1926 In Eureka Township in Sac County, Iowa to H. Vern and Pearl Vivian (Willey) Wilson. In 1932 the family moved to the Wilson farm in Silver Creek Township and have lived there ever since. Roy proudly told people, “Our mile and a quarter farm is a century family farm”.

Roy was baptized May 5, 1929 at the Silver Creek Methodist Church and was confirmed there on March 24, 1940. Roy sang in the choir and was happy to say his grandparents were charter members of this church that still stands here in Silver Creek Township

Roy attended country school thru the 8^th grade and graduated from Galva High School in 1944.

Roy started farming and then decided to enlist in the Army Air Force earning the rank of Sgt. as an Air Control Tower Operator. Upon returning home he went back in to farming. Roy and LaMerle Shirley Rydberg, a high school classmate were married at the Schaller Presbyterian Church on October 23, 1949. To this union three children were born, Nadine Louise, and twins Clyde Vern and Connie Jo.

Besides crop farming, Roy had lots of livestock to tend to as well. He did lots of custom work, and grew soybeans for De Kalb. Roy was active on the Farm Bureau and Pork Producers boards. Roy was a trustee on the Silver Creek United Methodist church board many times, as well as a Silver Creek Township trustee for many years.

He was a life member of the AmVets and a member of Dibbern Post # 454 of the American Legion.

In 1975 when the Doctor encouraged him to go south for the winter because of a health condition. The livestock were sold and a travel trailer was bought. Every winter since he has been in Arizona, Texas or Florida. They also enjoyed trips to Hawaii and Alaska. Making new friends and playing lots of shuffleboard occupied a lot of his time. Roy enjoyed woodworking, making bowls and pens as a hobby in his retirement years.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, LaMerle, daughters, Nadine Bray (Douglas O’Connell) of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.; Connie Jo (Glenn) Bosse of Jefferson, South Dakota; granddaughters, Ashleigh Bosse (Fiancé Justin Keegan) of Elk Point, South Dakota; Kara (Nick) Meisinger of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; brother retired Col. Dwight Vern (Barbara) Wilson of Houston, Texas; several nieces, nephews a family and friends.

Roy was preceded in death by his son Clyde Vern, parents, Vern and Pearl, sisters, Helen (Paul) Clausen, and Dorothy (Amos) Wagner.

A special thank you to Veronica and her team at Siouxland Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Siouxland Hospice, Silver Creek United Methodist Church, Galva First Responders, Galva Library or one of your choice.