In Memory of Richard E. "Dick" Meier

Richard E. “Dick” Meier, age 74, of Battle Creek, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2017, at the Mayo Clinic Methodist Hospital, of Rochester, Minnesota.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Reverend Kevin J. Freese will officiate, with committal services following in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa. Military Rites will be conducted by Maple Valley Post No. 364 of the American Legion of Battle Creek and the McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion of Ida Grove, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 27, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Richard Edward Meier, age 74, entered his eternal home January 24, 2017 following a lengthy battle with cancer.

He was born October 21, 1942 in Rural Ida County to Vincent (Bud) and Loretta (Nielsen) Meier.  His early education was received at St. Mary’s Catholic School, Danbury, Iowa.  He attended Danbury Catholic High School through the 10^th grade at which time the family moved to Battle Creek.  Richard graduated from Battle Creek High School in 1960.

 Upon graduation, at the age of 17, Richard joined the US Navy on the “Kiddy Cruise”.  This was an option offered for a few years to young men who enlisted before their 18^th birthday.  They were offered a school of their choice and a discharge before their 21^st birthday.  His parents were required to sign giving their permission.

  The “Kiddy Cruise” was offered as a “buddy system”.  Richard and his classmate, Dewain Forthum, departed to Camp Nimitz, San Diego, California in October of 1960.  Following boot camp Richard went to “A” School where he earned Electrician Mate-2.  During his tour of duty, he was promoted to Electrician Mate-5.  He also went to Motion Picture Schooling.  This was a great way to work on duty, showing movies and earning an extra dollar.  Hence, he still loves to watch movies.  Richard was assigned to the USS Bayfield APA-33.  His significant mission was deployment to Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.  Richard was honorably discharged at Camp Coronado, San Diego, California, October 18, 1963, five days before his 21^st birthday.

 Richard and Barbara Sales were married on January 29, 1966 at Ida Grove, Iowa.  Three children were born to this union, Sherri, Shelli and Mike.  Richard spent several years working for an environmental company which took him all over the United States.  Although this was an enjoyable part of his life, his real love was farming.  He loved the land and loved being on the farm with his family.  When illness struck he had a great outlook.  He would say, “If I die tomorrow, I’ve lived my dream”.

  He was a member of the 1^st Presbyterian Church at Battle Creek.  He enjoyed worship and being surrounded by his friends.  He especially enjoyed breakfast every morning at the Bread Box with his “breakfast buddies”.  Richard was a member of the American Legion Maple Valley Post No. 364 of Battle Creek and McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of Ida Grove.

 Left to cherish his memory are his wife Barbara, his three children Sherri (Kel) Anderson, Alta, Iowa; Shelli (Jason) Dannenberg, Anthon, Iowa; Michael (Heidi) Meier, Brandon, South Dakota.  He was also blessed with grandchildren, Cody, Lee (Lacey) and Lance (Carrie) Anderson; Bailey and Brylie Boettcher, Lily and Jaedyn Dannenberg; Benton, Hadley and Brandt Meier.  Great grandchildren Owen, Garrett, Sage and Sawyer Anderson; two brothers, Robert (Glenrose) Meier, Ronald (Roxanne) Meier; sister Margery Meier; sister-in-laws, Jeannette (Richard) Ott, Diane (Tom) Castle, Charolette (Bill) Uhl, Karen (Darwin) Blackmore; father and mother-in-law, Lou Dale and Helen Sales; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Loretta Meier and his brother-in-law Charles (Chuck) Cooley.