"I wanted to send condolence to the family. Max sounds like a true "Detlefsen" with the story of his life, which was a full one with all his accomplishments. My family originated from Germany and Denmark with my great-grandfather Christian Peter Kuno Detlefsen brings his family; Anna Detlefsen (great-grandmother); Joachim Detlefsen (grandfather) and Carman Detlefsen (aunt) to San Francisco, CA. The family enjoys locating possible relatives. Below is a list of my family: Christian Peter Kuno Detlefsen: Petty Office 1st Class in the Navy and died at sea. Anna Detlefsen: Lived in San Francisco until the great fire then mover her family to Oakland, CA. and bought a Boarding House and raised her two children; Joachim Kuno Detlefsen (Jock) married had 5 children and making a living as a fireman for Oakland Fire Dept until his retirement. Carman Detlefsen married raising one child living in Sacramento, CA I am 3rd generation of firefighters for White House Fire Dept in White House, TN; my dad James H. Detlefsen is a retired police officer from Nashville Metro Police Dept in Nashville, TN; my brother Joachim P. Detlefsen and James C. Detlefsen are following in my dad's foot steps on different police depts.. I wish your family well maybe one day our paths will cross. Sincerely, Matthew Detlefsen"
In loving memory of
Max Detlefsen
September 22, 1915 - November 2, 2010
Max, the son of first generation German immigrants Hans W. and Therese (Thede) Detlefsen, was born September 22, 1915, in Manning, Iowa. He graduated from Manning High School in 1933 and worked for Dultmeier Manufacturing. Max then attended Coyne Electric School in Chicago for two years. He returned home and worked for the Manning Municipal Light Company. In 1941 he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served for four and a half years, teaching munitions and demolition to recruits at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. On December 27, 1942, Max was united in marriage with Marjorie Smith in Williamsburg, Iowa. The couple met in Manning, where Marge was a Home Economics teacher. After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1945 they lived in Williamsburg for a short time before moving to Manning. Max then worked for Manning Municipal Light Company for several years before buying Schelldorf Electric Shop in 1948, renaming the business Detlefsen Electric. Max and Marge had two children; daughter, Ann (1945), and son, John (1950). Max semi-retired when John took over the business in 1981. Max was a charter member of the Manning Rotary Club, a member of the American Legion, and a volunteer with the Manning Fire Department. With Lyle Arp, he built L & M Bowl in 1960. Max was a passionate fisherman, making annual treks to Minnesota and Canada to fish with friends and family every year from 1950 to 2008. (The big ones never got away!) He also fished in Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas. Max was a cutthroat bridge player, an accomplished woodworker, an avid golfer, a devotee of crosswords and Sudoku, and a dedicated sports fan. He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports, and he supported IKM-Manning teams well into his 90s. (The players, refs, and coaches knew him well!) In 1950 Max and Marge moved into the house he built for them from the ground up - every board, brick and nail. He was fiercely independent and lived in that home until he developed health problems in October 2010, when he was admitted to the Manning Regional Healthcare Center. He died peacefully on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, at the age of 95. Preceding Max in death are his parents; a sister in infancy; sister Ruth Detlefsen in childhood; and brother Heinz "Cotton" Detlefsen and wife Elnor. Max is survived by his wife Marjorie Detlefsen of Manning; daughter Ann Detlefsen and husband Robert Hoehle of Des Moines; son John Detlefsen and wife Gwen of Manning; and three grandchildren: Phillip Detlefsen and wife Kimberly Martin, both Doctors of Chiropractic in St. Michael, Minnesota; Matt Detlefsen of Manning; and Sarah Lloyd and husband Thomas Lloyd III, both Doctors of Chiropractic in West Des Moines; five great grandchildren; relatives and friends. Honorary Bearers Max's Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren Phillip Detlefsen Matthew Detlefsen Sarah Lloyd Max Detlefsen Chase Detlefsen Tommy Lloyd John Lloyd Brooke Detlefsen Fishing Buddies Ron Colglazier Bob Hoehle Darwin Haskins Lyle Junior' Schrum In Memoriam Lyle Arp Glen Jensen Dr. John Hornberger Willis Puck Private Family Committal Service of Cremated Remains Saturday, November 6, 2010 Manning Cemetery Manning, Iowa
Tributes
"Ann, just realized your Dad passed away. You and your family have our deepest sympathy.w"
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"At this time of sorrow, May these truths sustain you ... Your loved one will always Be as close as a memory, And the God of all comfort Will always be as Close as a prayer."
"Ann, We've always thought a lot of your dad especially his following of Manning High School sports and his love of fishing in Canada. He had quite of zest for life. You, your Mom and your family our in our thoughts and prayers."
"Detlefsen family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Andy has such fond memories of Grandpa Max stories! He was a very special man."
"Special people are NEVER forgotten and Max was one of those special people. He gave to his Country, State, Community, and Family. He loved life and life loved him as did the people that knew him. He is leaving behind a legecy of intigrity, hard work, success, and a beautiful family. God be with you All during this difficult time."
"You have my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time"