Charles H. Werner Sr.

CADY, CURRY, DUDLEY, GRISSOM, NOVAK, RICK, ROWE, SHAFFER, SLIFE, WERNER, WILLSON

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 4/17/2024 at 14:15:08

Charles H. Werner Sr., 86, of Independence, IA, formally of Winthrop, IA, died on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City, IA.

Charles was born on December 6, 1937, in rural Walker, IA, the son of Harry H. and Tracy K. (Novak) Werner. He attended the rural country schools and the Quasqueton Elementary School. In 1956, Charles graduated from the Winthrop High School. He not only got a diploma from the school but also found the love of his life, Nancy Jo Shaffer. They were married on August 3, 1957, at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Winthrop, IA. They briefly lived in Cedar Rapids while Charles worked at Square D. They moved back home to the Winthrop area and started farming.

In 1962 Charles took a job in the John Deere Foundry in Waterloo, IA. Over his thirty years at the company, Charles held many different positions and made many good friends along the way. He retired in 1992.

Charles dedicated his life to taking care of his family. He worked many long hours to provide for his family, but when he had time off during the shutdowns at the factory, he spent every moment with his wife and kids. In his retirement, he made it his full-time job to spend time with his grandchildren. They were taught how to fish, and how to tell a story the right way. He also enjoyed playing horseshoes with the guys, family dinners, and playing pinochle.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Werner, Independence, IA, his children; Brenda Lou Werner Willson, Springville, IA, Cheryl (Keith) Curry, Jesup, IA, Chuck (Janine) Werner, Independence, IA, Sally (Ron) Slife, Center Point, IA, Teresa (Artie) Dudley, Independence, IA, and Mark (Sandi) Werner, Winthrop, IA, twenty-one grandchildren, thirty-four great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, two brothers-in-law, Jerry (Jan) Shaffer and Paul Shaffer, and many nieces and nephews.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Tracy Werner, two sons-in-law, Eugene Willson and Dave Moore, and five sisters: Mable Rick, Dorothy Werner, Marie Cady, Edna Rowe, and Maxine Grissom.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at St.
Patrick’s Catholic Church in Winthrop, IA. Burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Winthrop, IA. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4 PM until 7:30 PM at the Reiff Family Center – Funeral Home & Crematory in Independence, IA. A Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus will be said at 3:45 PM at the funeral home on Tuesday.