In loving memory of

William (Bill) F. Ohde
March 21, 1916 - October 24, 2010

William Franklin, son of William and Frances (Brunnier) Ohde, was born March 21, 1916, at Manning, Iowa. The family first lived near downtown and then moved to the corner of East and Second Street where his father hoped to add to their home for a funeral home. Instead he purchased some property on First Street and commenced the planning and building of the present Ohde Funeral Home. At the age of fourteen Bill was very involved in watching and working with the carpenters, electricians, plumbers and masons as the new structure took form. The lessons he learned stayed with him all his life. During this time he helped his Dad in the furniture, appliance and floor covering and funeral business out of their store on Main Street. After graduating from Manning High School in 1934, Bill attended the University of Iowa for two years until he was old enough to attend mortuary school. He graduated with Distinguished Honors from the Hohenschuh-Carpenter College of Embalming in St. Louis, Missouri in 1938. Later that year he received his Iowa embalmer's license and returned to Manning and joined his father in business. On February 26, 1939, Bill and Bernice Dethlefs were united in marriage at the Zion Lutheran Church. Four children were born to this union. They lived in Manning their entire lives. As a couple, Bill and Bernie enjoyed playing bridge, traveling and playing golf. In 1951 the furniture store was sold so that the family could concentrate on the Ohde Funeral Home business and a partnership between Bill and his dad was formed. After the death of Bill's father in 1969, the business expanded to include Manilla, Coon Rapids and Bayard when his son William G. and daughter Ruth joined him in the funeral business. Bill was avidly interested when the firm expanded to Kimballton and Carroll in later years. The town of Manning and its growth, prosperity and people were very dear to his heart. He was involved in many organizations including the Manning Hospital Board where he served as treasurer for many years and helped in the planning of the Manning Plaza and other additions to the hospital; the Chamber of Commerce where he chaired the annual Kinderfest committee for nearly 30 years; the Manning Community Foundation when they purchased the old high school and turned it into the Manning Rec Center; and the Zion Lutheran Church where he chaired the building committee that planned the present-day church in south Manning. Bill served on the City Council and was elected Mayor, as well as the Fire Department where he served as Chief for many years. He also was a member of the Manning School Board during reorganization in the 1950s. His interest in trains, model trains and photography began early in life. He wore out the engines of his first model trains and rebuilt them himself. He switched to HO (smaller gauge) and built cars, tracks and scale model buildings the rest of his life. He was proud of his scale model Milwaukee Road layout. Bill had an extensive collection of railroad related books, periodicals and memorabilia. He was involved in numerous railroad organizations, including serving as the President of the Milwaukee Railfan Association. Bill enjoyed reading and learning about a wide variety of subjects. After Bill retired in 1981 he continued to come to the funeral home most every day with the mail and to check up on all the employees, including his granddaughter Alison who joined the family business in 2003. He never ceased to care about the advances in funeral service. Bill was devoted to his wife Bernice and to his family, giving them unconditional support. After a couple of train trips in the first half of 2010, he started to experience health problems. Bill entered the Manning Regional Healthcare Center on October 12, 2010 and died there on Sunday, October 24, 2010 at the age of 94 years, 7 months and 3 days. Preceding him in death are his parents; wife Bernice Ohde in October 2009 and brother- and sister-in-law Kenneth and Virginia Dethlefs. Bill is survived by his four children: Ruth Ohde of Manning; Linda and husband George Farley of Lake Bluff, IL; Bill Ohde and Mike Thompson of Palm Springs, CA and John Ohde and wife Jackie and her children Sam, Ben and Sydney of Manning; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren: Ron Beaver and his son James (JP) of Woodinville, WA; Alison and husband Mark River and daughter Abigail of Manning; Julia Bachman and daughter Olivia of Manning and John Bachman and wife Wendy and sons Charlie and Ben of Denver, CO; two nieces JoAnn and husband Jim Karsten and Georgia and husband Rick Lohrmann, both of Manning; other relatives and many railroad friends all over the United States. Music "TILL THEN" THE MILLS BROTHERS "ON THE OLD MILWAUKEE ROAD" HOMETOWNERS "ALWAYS" GUY LOMBARDO & HIS ROYAL CANADIANS "I'LL BE SEEING YOU" LIBERACE Casket Bearers RON BEAVER JULIE BACHMAN JOHN BACHMAN ALISON OHDE RIVER MIKE THOMPSON SAM WEGNER Interment MANNING CEMETERY MANNING, IOWA

Tributes

name wrote on Jul 21, 2012:

"Beautiful site,"

name wrote on Jul 21, 2012:

"Nice,"

name wrote on Jul 21, 2012:

"I bookmarked this guestbook.,"

name wrote on Jul 21, 2012:

"Nice,"

name wrote on Jul 21, 2012:

"Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.,"

name wrote on Jul 21, 2012:

"Nice,"

name wrote on Jul 21, 2012:

"Very interesting sites.,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

"really great sites, thank you,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

"Beautiful site,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

"can you do thi for me,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

"Thank You,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

"Only,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

"best for you,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

":-(,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

"Give somebody the to a site about the,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

"Is it so important?,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

"Best,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

"Great site. Keep doing.,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

"Perfect work,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

"Beautiful site,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

":-),"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

"Your Site Is Great!,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

"Help me to find the,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

"I like your work!,"

name wrote on Jul 20, 2012:

"Beautiful site,"

name wrote on Jul 19, 2012:

"Real,"

name wrote on Jul 19, 2012:

"Nise site,"

name wrote on Jul 19, 2012:

"can you do thi for me,"

name wrote on Jul 19, 2012:

"Best,"

name wrote on Jul 19, 2012:

":-(,"

name wrote on Jul 19, 2012:

"Where it is possible to buy the,"

name wrote on Jul 19, 2012:

"What is it,"

name wrote on Jul 19, 2012:

"Best Wishes!,"

name wrote on Jul 19, 2012:

"Good Job,"

name wrote on Jul 19, 2012:

"Help me to find the,"

name wrote on May 21, 2012:

"Only,"

name wrote on May 21, 2012:

"best for you,"

Ann (Esbeck) Nitzel wrote on Nov 3, 2010:

"Ruth and family, I am sorry to hear of your father's passing. It was very interesting to read of his life and your family's history in his obituary. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers in the coming days."

Gib and Joan wrote on Oct 29, 2010:

"To Bills dear family, We are so sorry we could not be there for you. We will be home for Thanksgiving and will get to Manning and see you. we don't have to tell you how much he meant to us.We are so glad we had our last visit with him and we had such a good time. Things happen the way they are supposed to. One thing you may never know was how much we appreciated both Bernie and Bill reaching out to us when we came to Manning. we were so young.We needed them and they were there. We loved them very much. He always did it his way what a life.... See you soon"

Dick Maxwell wrote on Oct 27, 2010:

"I was saddened to hear of your loss. Bill was someone that Lois and I respected and regarded very highly. His soft words and kind ways were always greatly appreciated. My thoughts and prayers are with your family."

Linden Gibson wrote on Oct 27, 2010:

"Dear Ruth, Ron and Allison, my thoughts and prayers are with you as you celebrate the life of your father and grandfather. What a blessing his long life has been to you! I hope that memories of his love will comfort you in this time of loss. Hugs to all of you, your old friend (and babysitter) Linden (Linda Buck)"

Adrian Vinke wrote on Oct 27, 2010:

"Ruth and Ohde family. Sorry to hear of your loss."

Kari Nuzback wrote on Oct 26, 2010:

"Bill was a wonderful, gentle soul who I had the pleasure of spending time with for the past 5 years as he visited Bernice at the Plaza. Bill's smile was contagious. He was the epitome of a genuine and kind heart. His love for his wife was one to emulate so at this very difficult time we can take comfort knowing he is with her again, smiling. With sympathy, Jack, Kari, Miles and Bennet Nuzback"

Gary Holzinger wrote on Oct 26, 2010:

"Ruth and John, Bill was the the very first person I met from what was to become the MRHA back in late 70's at a Davenport, IA mini convention which Bill organized. Our friendship grew when we both became rib side caboose owners. It goes without saying your dad will be missed in many ways. It was an honor to know and share Milwaukee Road information with him."

Dave Kroeger wrote on Oct 26, 2010:

"I'm sorry I couldnt be there for the visitation or funeral. But, I wanted to tell you that I was very honored to call Bill a friend. He always took the time to see what I was up to and to talk about his passion for the Milwaukee Road. Going to railroad meets and conventions wont be the same without him. I know somewhere in his part of heaven,theres probably some tracks and trestles, and the Midwest Hiawatha going 90 mph. Condolences to you all and god bless. Dave Kroeger, Grimes IA"

David Seidel wrote on Oct 26, 2010:

"Bill was a great person. I am so happy I was able to know him for the last 20+ years."

Suzanne Bandow McClelland wrote on Oct 26, 2010:

"Our Thoughts and prayers go to the family. Bill will be dearly missed."

Julie Dunshee wrote on Oct 26, 2010:

"John and Jackie~ So sorry to hear about your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God's Blessings to You ~"

kevan gillman wrote on Oct 26, 2010:

"sorry for your loss of your father sincerely kevan gillman"

mary rohe wrote on Oct 25, 2010:

"Thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time."

Amy Osborne wrote on Oct 25, 2010:

"My deepest sympathies to the Ohde family for their loss."

Kathy Singsank wrote on Oct 25, 2010:

"Thinking of you at this difficult time."

Jean Voege wrote on Oct 25, 2010:

"To the Ohde Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss."

Steve Jones wrote on Oct 25, 2010:

"What a great loss. I have many fond memories beeing with Bill at CAMERAIL and on motorcar rides. Steve Jones,Lincoln,NE"

Shelli Lorenzen wrote on Oct 25, 2010:

"As an employee of the hospital I had many opportunities to speak and work with Bill, who was the Treasurer of the Hospital Board of Directors. Bill would stop by to sign checks at least every other week. Bill was always such a kind gentleman with a great sense of humor. I will always remember Bill's easy smile and laugh."

Lynn, Brenda and Christian Ochiltree wrote on Oct 25, 2010:

"Our prayers and thoughts will remain with you all during this time of sorrow. All our love, The Ochiltrees... Lynn, Brenda and Christian"

Cal & Karen Corson wrote on Oct 25, 2010:

"Dear Ruth and family, we are so sorry to hear of the death of your Father. God Bless you and the memory of your father. Cal & Karen"

Bob Storozuk , President MRHA wrote on Oct 25, 2010:

"One of the finest men I've ever known and a great supporter of the Milwaukee Road Historical Association has left us. Anyone who has ever met Bill will agree with my assesment of the man. Our entire organization extends their deepest sympathy to Ruth and John. We will all miss Bill's knowledge, his support, and his friendliness. I am priviledged to have known him."

Wes Haas wrote on Oct 25, 2010:

"Bill was a member of Camera Rail Club Omaha and renumber him at the meetings and was so nice to talk too. Wes aa"

Henry Nipper wrote on Oct 25, 2010:

"Bill Ohde was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. Soft spoken, generous of his knowledge and time, but a person who appreciated quality in all things. He was unique and will be missed by many of us railfans. Camerail Club meetings and trips won't be the same!l"