"Donna, just learned of Maurice?s passing. You and your family are in our prayers. May he Rest In Peace. Ken & Betty Frideres."
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, February 26, 2021, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Whittemore with Father Edward Girres presiding. MASKS ARE REQUIRED. Burial will be in the St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday, February 25, 2021, at Oakcrest Funeral Services in Whittemore. Funeral Mass will be live-streamed on the Five Saints Catholic Community Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/fivesaintscommunity. The graveside service will be live-streamed on Oakcrest Funeral Services' Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/oakcrestfuneralservices.
Maurice Leroy Besch was born September 19, 1940, in Whittemore, Iowa, the son of William and Isabel (Elbert) Besch. He grew up on a farm East of Whittemore and attended Presentation Academy, graduating in 1958. After his schooling he began working as a hired man for different farmers in the area. Maurice enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1961 and served until the summer of 1963. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to Whittemore.
On September 4, 1965, Maurice was united in marriage to Donna Mae Miller at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Corwith. After their marriage they lived and farmed near Whittemore, before later moving to the family farm near Cylinder. Maurice continued farming until this last year.
Maurice enjoyed working and being on the farm, fishing and playing cards. He was an active member of the St. Michael's Parish and Holy Name and was a past member of Cylinder Elevator Board.
Maurice died Monday, February 22, 2021, at the Algona Manor Care Center in Algona, Iowa. He was 80.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Mae of Algona; children, LuAnn Volkmer and fiancé, Nick Woolley of Johnston; Melissa and Dave Schlader of Prairie Village, KS; Larry and Nancy Besch of Whittemore; Linda and Rick Morris of Greenwood Village, CO; eight grandchildren: Kayla (Braiddey) Ruzicka, Samuel Volkmer; Nicholas and Isabel Schlader; Logan and Megan Besch; Zachary and Brayden Morris. Also surviving are siblings; Clem Besch of Kasson, MN; Cletus Besch of St. Louis, MO; Anita Lallier of Algona; Bill (Carol) Besch of St. Louis, MO and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Lynette Besch; sister-in-laws, Janet Besch and Marjorie Besch; brother-in-law, Arnie Lallier.
"Donna, just learned of Maurice?s passing. You and your family are in our prayers. May he Rest In Peace. Ken & Betty Frideres."
"I was so sorry to hear about your loss. He was a good friend of dad?s. A fishing buddy! I will remember you in my rosary today. God bless. Nancy Eischen Dereng "
"Donna, LuAnn, Melissa, Larry, and Linda - I am so sorry for your loss and share in this very sad time. He was a wonderful godfather to me and a great role model in my life. I have so many cherished, happy memories of time spent with him on the farm and with all of you. His devotion to his family, hard work ethic, solid midwestern values, and big bear hugs are what I\'ll remember most about him. Sending my love and prayers to you all. Kathy Andre"
"Besch Family - I\'m so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts & prayers are with your entire family during this difficult time. "
"Dear Donna, Linda, LuAnn, Melissa, Larry and all the family....Jerry and I are deeply saddened to hear of Maurice\'s passing..We. pray for all of the family and we know how difficult this is..We are proud to have known Maurice and he will not be forgotten..To Linda, our daughter-in-law, we wish we could be there, and LYWW... Love to all the family, Jerry and Connie Morris "
"Maurice was few in words but were always thought felt. This will be hard for Donna Mae. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers from afar. Joanie (Frideres) Brumm"
"Donna and family praying for you and sharing in the sadness of losing someone you loved so much.Linda Nall"
"Dear Donna, LuAnn, Melissa, Larry, Linda, and all your extended families. I am so sorry for the loss of Maurice. He was always such a nice guy whenever I saw him....usually with Linda and we were always up to something. Enjoyed visiting with both your parents. Great people! Sending you love and prayers during this difficult time. Sherri (Becker) Labayen"
"The picture I submitted showing Maurice in front of green wallpaper was from January, 1961. My parents were preparing to drive to the inauguration of President Kennedy. They had bought a Kodak movie camera and Maurice was captured on the first roll of film as they tried out the camera before leaving (Maurice did the chores while they were gone). Our mom used that same movie camera to capture Maurice and Donna on their wedding day. I have shared a moment from that film showing them emerging from the church. Seconds after this image they were showered with a lot of rice! Maurice was always such a nice guy whenever we crossed paths. Rest in peace, Maurice."
"Was always great to see Maurice whenever he would come to the hospital in Emmetsburg and I got to register him. Very friendly guy. Know he will be missed by many.. "
"Donna, LuAnn, Melissa, Larry and Linda. Sue and I are very sorry for your loss, and the loss of a great man. He was was my classmate from 1st thru 12th grade, and yes he lived east of Whittemore but his parents moved west of Whittemore in 52 or 53 and he was my buddy just two miles west on HWY 18. We remained very close to Moe and Donna, and they were Godparents to our daughter Kathy. We will miss Moe greatly for all our visits to each other, our joint travels, and most of all he was my \"Whittemore Connection\", and now he is gone."
"I have know Maurice for many many years. He was one of my husbands best friends. After Donnie died when I would come to Algona I always stopped to see Maurice & Donna first. I was always welcome no matter what time of day. Rest In Peace Maurice. Darlene Fandel"
"Donna and family, Sincere sympathy to all of you. Loved visiting with Maurice."
"Donna, LuAnn, Melissa, Larry and Linda and families. So sorry to hear about Maurice\'s passing. I have a lot of fond memories of our families spending time together when I was a kid. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family."
"Donna, LuAnn, Melissa, Larry, and Linda - I am so sorry for your loss. I have so many fond memories of spending summers on the farm with your family when I was young. Maurice was like a second father to my sister, Kathy, and I. He was always so warm and friendly. He will be missed by our whole family!! Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Renee Kirchner (Andre)"
"So very sad to hear about Maurice\'s death. He was such a wonderful man and gave the best hugs! I enjoyed our visits so much when he came into the hardware store and the short visits before church. He was such an amazing man and will be missed by so many. I am so sad that we haven\'t been able to see him for so long but we know that he will always be in our hearts. Hugs to all of you!!"
"Donna, LuAnn, Melissia, Larry, Linda and families. So sad to hear of Maurice\'s death. We\'ve had so many good memories in the last 40+ years. The family movie nights, the eating out/playing cards, vacations, did I mention eating out/visiting \"Aunt Rose\" and playing cards, and now in the last few months, the visiting on the phone. So many good laughs we\'d share. We know he\'s in a much better place, but maybe won\'t win as many card games . We\'re sure going to miss him. Thoughts and prayers to you all. "
"So sorry for your loss. I loved Maurice?s smile and laugh. He had such a warm personality and so easy to visit with him. Sending prayers and hugs. "