John E. Wickre

John E. Wickre, 65, of Humboldt, was called home to be with his Lord on July 21, 2010 in the arms of his loving wife, Helen, who for the last 19 ½ years has been his best friend and soul mate.  Visitation will be Sunday July 25, 2010 from 5-8 p.m.  at the Zion Lutheran Church. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday July 26th at the Zion Lutheran Church in Humboldt with the Rev. J.K. Raether officiating.  Interment will be at Indian Mound Cemetery, Humboldt.    The Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home of Humboldt is assisting the family.
John is survived by his wife, Helen; children, Jarrod (Kristi) Wickre of Des Moines, and Jeremy (Terri) Wickre of Humboldt, Kelly (Bud) Nostrom of Humboldt, Kristi (Kevin) Sholly of Clear Lake, Karla (Jeff) Reed of Gardner, KS, and Robert (Cheryl) McKenna of Coeur d’Alene, ID; 14 grandchildren; 3 great granddaughters; sisters, Ruth (Harold) Bosworth of Algona, Rachel (Roger) Halbin of Ridott, IL, and Liz (Bob) Anderson of Custer SD; his brother, Paul (Carol) Wickre of Rochester, MN; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Judy.
John Edwin Wickre, the son of Sherman and Esther (Landgren) Wickre, was born November 27, 1944 in Mason City, Iowa.  His birth occurred while his father was interned as a Prisoner of War during World War II and he and his family made their home in Mason City.  Following the release and return of his father, the family moved to Livermore where they purchased the feed mill.  John received his education at Livermore and graduated from Twin Rivers High School in 1962.  John was employed briefly in the construction business and for the Chantland Company before his 39 ½ years of faithful employment at Humboldt Concrete Products.  During this time, John also enjoyed his part-time work for Baker Truck Line, Abbas Trucking, and MS and Sons.  On May 28, 1965, John was united in marriage to Judy Sleiter and to this union two sons were born, Jarrod and Jeremy.  Judy passed away on September 14, 1989 and on November 24, 1990, he was united in marriage to Helen McKenna.

Following his retirement in 2005, John was employed part-time for the City of Dakota City.  Among his duties he was most proud of was the maintenance and rehabilitation of Dakota City Park which served as a goal through his illness.  Because of his dedication, the City of Dakota City named the newly remodeled park shelter the “John Wickre Shelter House”.  John also served as the building inspector for the City of Humboldt from 2005-2007.  He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church.  An avid supporter of the Livermore American Legion, John attended all but one of Livermore’s  Memorial Day Ceremonies since 1965.  John also honored the memory of his father last June through the sponsorship of a veteran to participate in the honor flight.  He and Helen enjoyed traveling, attending grandchildren’s activities and had the opportunity to visit 44 of the lower 48 states.
Memorials may be made to the city of Dakota City for the continued development of the park that John focused his efforts on or the Zion Lutheran Church.