Obituary of Carl F. Geertz

The funeral service for Carl will be livestreamed via Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Zoom and can be accessed clicking the following link and entering the Meeting ID/Passcode information.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7956143352?pwd=YVI5MWhFQkxHVVpsY1hyV3NXdjNtZz09

Meeting ID: 795 614 3352
Passcode: mark734

Carl F. Geertz

August 18, 1921 - June 11, 2025

Carl Frederick Geertz died peacefully at the Simpson Memorial Home in West Liberty on June 11, 2025 at the age of 103. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Carl was born in rural Atalissa to Ernest August Geertz (1890-1970) and Mary Weiss Geertz (1891-1934). He had two older siblings, brother Robert (1915-2009) and sister Frieda Pasvogel (1917-1971).

Carl’s early years were on the family farm near Atalissa. When he was in fourth grade, the family moved to West Liberty, where his parents built a new home on a farm west of town. His mother Mary never had the chance to live in the new house as she died from cancer when Carl was 12 years old.

Carl graduated from West Liberty High School in 1939. He farmed with his father until his 21^st birthday, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps for service in WWII. Carl was fascinated with planes from an early age, having witnessed flights by his neighbors in their home-made aircraft, and he was convinced that this was the direction he wanted to take.

After pilot and officer training in Texas and Florida, and a brief study at Oklahoma Baptist University, Carl served as Second Lieutenant and pilot on a B-17 Bomber with the Eighth Air Force, 486^th Bomb Group.  He was stationed in England where he flew in the lead plane as co-pilot on nine missions. He served for three years until the European Theatre ended. 

In March 1946, Carl returned to Iowa, taking over the family farm in West Liberty. Soon after, he met Aurilee Wilson at a Farm Bureau dinner dance in Muscatine. They married on August 17, 1947; this was the start of what was to become a remarkable 77-year marriage, during which time they raised six daughters.

Carl revelled in Iowa farm life and actively farmed for nearly 70 years. He raised corn and soybeans, as well as cattle and hogs. As a young farmer, he won numerous corn and swine awards. Farming was his lifeblood and purpose, and he remained interested and engaged until his 90’s.

Over his long life, Carl was dedicated to his community. He served on the Muscatine/Scott County School Board of Education from 1961-1973. In 1967, he was elected to the Board of Directors for the West Liberty State Bank, where he served until 2004. Carl also served on the building committee for the Simpson Memorial Home and later as a Board Director from 1975 to 1988. He was a charter and active lifetime member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. He was also a 1953 charter member of the local Lions Club and a member for over 50 years. Carl started his lifetime membership of the American Legion after returning from service in 1946, and he was engaged with Farm Bureau for over 50 years.

Carl had a desire to see the world and eventually evolved the family operation to crop farming so that he and Aurilee would have more time to travel. They travelled extensively: to the UK and Ireland, parts of Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and Ukraine, Mexico, Canada and South America. Wherever they went, Carl sought out ways to learn about agriculture and farming. One trip was to Patagonia, where he and Aurilee were part of a research group studying guanacos, an exotic animal they raised as a hobby. He had a dream of taking an around-the-world trip, and at the age of 87, he and Aurilee did just that, visiting six countries and seeing family along the way. They also enjoyed many trips throughout the United States, stopping to see friends and family and exploring national parks, historical locations and points of interest, both urban and rural.

His 13 grandchildren gave Carl enormous joy, and the love and affection were mutual. Visits to “Grandpa’s farm” were simply the best. His grandchildren delighted in their grandpa’s tractor rides, guanacos, berry-picking and local excursions -- and hayrack rides at sunset were the hands-down favorite.

For the last three years, Carl and Aurilee have resided at Simpson Memorial Home, where they have been lovingly cared for.

Carl’s family will forever cherish his kindness, wisdom, generosity, appreciation for nature, and compassion for people and causes in need. He led by example – with a deep love for and dedication to his family, farm and community.

He is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife Aurilee; his daughters – Mary Ann Nelson (Gregg) of Kansas City, MO, Jennifer Brown of Norwalk, CT, Melinda Geertz (Jeff Wassmann) of Melbourne, Australia, Gina DePolo (Timothy) of Santa Cruz, CA, and Emily Geertz (Frank Wagner) of West Liberty; 13 grandchildren – Adrienne, Grant and Meredith (Damiano DeLeo) Dunham, Alexander, Grace and Benjamin Brown, Isabel, Samuel and Sophie Wassmann, Peter DePolo, and Jack, David and Margaret Mahoney. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert and sister Frieda, and his beloved daughter Julia Leone (2020).

Visitation is on Monday, June 16^th at Henderson Barker Funeral Homes in West Liberty from 5 to 7 pm. A service will be held on Tuesday, June 17^th at 11 am at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Liberty with interment at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Following interment, all family and friends are invited to gather at the home of Emily Geertz at 1118 North Walnut Street.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Courageous and mailed to Henderson Barker Funeral Home, PO Box 46, West Liberty, Iowa 52776