Meier, Delbert William 1880 - 1959

MEIER, SPLIES, BURGESS, ROBERTS, RENK

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 1/23/2025 at 11:25:04

Clayton County Register, 22 Jan. 1959.

MONONA: Funeral services for Delbert William Meier, 78, were held Saturday afternoon, Jan. 10, at 2 o'clock at the Schultz funeral home. The Rev. E. Wayne Hilmer, pastor of the Methodist church, officiated. Mr. Meier died at his home Thursday morning, Jan. 08, after being in ill health for some time. Burial was in the city cemetery.

Delbert William Meier was born on a farm north of Postville May 06, 1880, the son of John H. and Louisa Splies Meier. He was one of five children. Milo S. Meier of Minneapolis is the only one who remains.

His early education was in a country school. The family moved to Postville later, so the children could have a better education. He graduated from the Postville high school, then entered Upper Iowa University at Fayette, where he became a member of the debating team which won high honors for the school.

In the fall of 1903 he entered the University of Chicago, graduating from there in 1905 with two degrees, Bachelor of Philosophy and Doctor of
Jurisprudence. He started his law practice in Tulsa, Okla.

While in college he had met Miss Grace Estelle Burgess. They were married in 1903. Not liking the climate in the southern territory, the couple returned to Iowa and Mr. Meier took over the law office of Ed Otis in 1907.

Two children were born to this couple, Esther, Mrs. John Roberts of Darlington, England, and Martha, now Mrs. Walter Renk of Sun Prairie, Wis. These, with his wife, two grandchildren, John and Richard Renk, and a new great-grandchild, Wyatt Farley Renk, survive him.

Mr. and Mrs. Meier have resided in Monona for over 50 years. On Dec. 28 they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.

Mr. Meier served in official capacity in the town as mayor, and on the town council. As a school board member, he was instrumental in building the new addition to the "old building" and the construction of the present one, serving as president and director of the Union State Bank, in which capacity he served for many years. He was a life-long member of the Iowa State Bar Association.

During the first World War, he was a member of the Clayton County draft board, and during World War II he served for a time as a government appeal agent. For this he was given citations from two presidents, a selective service medal in the name of the Congress of the U.S., signed by Harry S. Truman, and a certificate of appreciation signed by Fraklin D. Roosevelt.

Music at the services was provided by Mrs. George Martin, soloist. Mrs. Ivon Schultz was the organist. Pallbearers were F. J. Peglow, George Martin, Elmer Kurth, W. C. Kruse, Ivon Schultz, George Wiethorn, Raymond Mielke, and William Hubacher. Honorary pallbearers were H. T. Orr, K. W. Rash, Edward Wirkler, Reuben Bernhard, G. F. Fox, members of the Clayton County Bankers Association and the Clayton County Bar Association.