PETER STYVE

Thursday, April 28, 2016 3:01 pm

Peter Styve, age 92, of Decorah, died Friday, April 22, 2016, at the Evans Memorial Home in Cresco.
Peter B. Styve was born on June 8, 1923, the son of Ben and Johanna (Rude) Styve at their home on 5th Avenue in Decorah. Peter attended Decorah Community Schools.
He was baptized and confirmed at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah. He joined St. Benedict Catholic Church Oct.10, 1980. Peter was united in marriage to Hazel Kolegraph July 24, 1946 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Bluffton, by Father Mahoney. To this union five children were born: Ronald, Gerald, Elaine, Wyonne and Paul. Peter joined the Air Force Feb. 12, 1943; and he served until Dec. 7, 1945. He was a Staff Sergeant, serving in Europe: England, France, Germany and Italy. He would always say that he was in charge of 15 planes and when they went, he went. Peter returned to Decorah and worked for Holt Dairy, Albert’s Plumbing and Heating for 20 years and then Lang’s Dairy until he retired in 1988. Peter’s hobbies included doing puzzles, word finds, playing solitaire on the computer. He always was an avid John Wayne fan with an extensive collection of movies. He loved ice cream, Lifesavers, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and Fareway Raisin Bran Crunch. Peter will be remembered for his rhyming words and his dry sense of humor. Peter was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church and the Helof Holm VFW Chapter #1977.
Peter is survived by his four children: Gerald and Willie Styve of Brownsville, Texas, Elaine and Jim Sims of Decorah, Wyonne and Ron Priebe, Owatonna, Minn., and Paul and Joni Styve of Calmar; daughter-in-law: Evi Styve of Decorah; eight grandsons: Philip (Jean) Sims, Rochester, Minn, Michael (Kim) Sims of Decorah, Corey (Beth) Sims of Decorah, Brad (Hilary Helgeson) Sorum of Owatonna, Minn., Jason (Nora Kapler) Styve, of Waterloo, Sam (Bryer) Styve of Joplin, Mo., Nicholas Priebe of Seattle, Wash., and Brett Styve of Calmar; and 11 great grandchildren: Mikel and Nikolai Styve, Gavin, Jordan, Gunnar, Archer, Allison and Madison Sims, Ashton, Aniston and Adyson Sorum.
Peter was preceded in death by his wife: Hazel Styve Aug. 23, 2013; his son: Ron Styve Jan. 7, 1991; his parents: Ben and Hannah Styve; his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Phil and Clara Kolegraph; his brothers and sisters and their spouses: Ruth (Bill) Coty, Hazel (Preston) Kemp, Florence (Martin) Luren, Lester (Violet) Styve, Bessie Styve, Raymond (Beady) Styve, Vivian Styve, Clifford Styve, Reuben (Ruth) Styve. Sister-in-law: Irene (Lyle) Erickson; and by a brother-in-law: Walter Kolegraph, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, with the Rev. Phil Gibbs officiating. Lector was Joni Styve. Mary Beth Bouska was organist, Cindy Schissel was cantor, and Julie Vulk was guitarist. Hymns were “Amazing Grace,” “One Day At A Time,” “do You Really Love Me,” “Just A Closer Walk With Thee,” “Old Rugged Cross” and “How Great Thou Art.”
Offertory gift bearers were Bryer Styve, Nora Kapler, Beth Sims, Kim Sims, Jean Sims and Hilary Helgeson.
Honorary casket bearers were Hazel’s great-grandchildren. Casket bearers were Peter’s grandsons: Philip Sims, Michael Sims, Corey Sims, Brad Sorum, Jason Styve, Sam Styve, Nicholas Priebe and Brett Styve.
Interment was at St. Benedict’s Catholic Cemetery, Decorah, with Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.