Emmett Meissen

Emmett Jerome Meissen, age 87 of New Hampton, Iowa died Tuesday February 7, 2023 at MercyOne in New Hampton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday February 11th at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton with interment in Calvary Cemetery, rural New Hampton. To honor Emmett, military interment rites will be by the Lawler American Legion. Visitation will be held 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday February 10, 2023 at the Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home and Crematory in New Hampton where there will be a 7:00 p.m. Scripture Service. Further visitation will be one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Emmett was born on March 20, 1935, to Jack and Alice Meissen at the old St. Joseph Hospital in New Hampton. Still, he grew up with his sister and two brothers on a farm just outside Lawler, where he helped his parents with a variety of chores on the farm and developed that Meissen work ethic that he carried with him throughout his life. He attended school in Lawler at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School and then began working full-time on the farm before following his older brother into the U.S. Army, where he served as an infantry scout with a K-9 corps. Emmett met the love of his life, Marianne Kluiter, when he attended a dance at Waterloo's Electric Park Ballroom, and they almost immediately connected. The two began dating, fell in love, and were married on May 28, 1965. He spent much of his working career at John Deere, where he worked first as a machinist and then in quality control as an auditor, i.e., he made sure the tractors were in tip-top shape before they headed out the factory door, from 1972 to 1998, when he retired. But as productive of a career as he had, Emmett made his biggest mark on his family and friends. He was the proud father of five children — Deb, Jackie, Brian, Diana, and Greg — who will always remember just how hardworking he was, the joy he took in their accomplishments, and the fact that Emmett always put others before himself. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his kids, and every summer, the Meissen family would head to Minnesota for a fishing trip and make wonderful memories together. Emmett also liked to play cards, especially euchre, with his buddies and tell a good story or two, too. Emmett was a great-father but he was an even better grandpa to his 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He loved his babies, and a day spent with them was always a good one. He was a proud member of the American Legion in Lawler. Emmett lived a good life, one centered around his family, friends and always doing his best for others. As hard as it is to say goodbye, anyone who knew him was given many memories that will always be treasured. He is survived by his wife of almost 58 years, Marianne; two sons, Brian (Kathy) Meissen of New Hampton and Greg (Barb) Meissen of Isanti, MN; three daughters, Deb Meissen of Ruskin, FL, Jackie (Al) Bohr of New Hampton and Diana (Mike) Scott of New Hampton. 12 Grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter; one sister, Darlene Franzen of Lawler, and one sister-in-law, Marilyn Meissen of Ankeny. Emmett is preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Jerry and Evelyn Kluiter; two brothers, Don Meissen, and Jerry (Betty) Meissen.