Henry Gansemer

Henry Gansemer, 93, of Rickardsville, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at his home with his wife by his side.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Henry will be at 10:00 am on Friday, November 14, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Rickardsville, with Father Tyler Raymond as the Celebrant. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Military honors will be rendered by American Legion Post #650 and the Iowa Army National Guard.
Henry was born in Sherrill, IA to Henry J. and Theresa (Butlett) Gansemer. He proudly served his country in the US Army from 1953 until 1955. He married Mary Jane Backes on June 4, 1957, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Rickardsville. He and Mary Jane purchased the Backes family farm where they raised their three children on the farm. He milked dairy cows, raised pigs, and cropped the land for many years until his son, Rick, resumed farming. He managed baseball and coached softball for many years. He was a die-hard Cub fan and a Rickardsville Semi-Pro baseball fan. Henry was one of the founding fathers who made the Rickardsville Ball Diamond in 1970. He and Mary Jane enjoyed polka dancing, bowling, and traveled to all 48 states, as well as, Europe. He was a member of St. Joseph Church and a 75 year member of the Catholic Order of Foresters.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Mary Jane; his son, Rick (Marge) Gansemer, daughter, Debbie (Carl) Brehm both of Rickardsville, and Lisa (Craig Gaul) Ruppel of Martelle, IA; 15 grandchildren, Nick (Steph) Brehm, Christy (Todd) Wolf, Scott (Ali) Brehm, Jill (Chad) Herman, Jenny (Karsten) Jasper, Kim (Brandon) Bonert, Kelly (Sheldon) Phillips, Amanda (Josh) Ruppel, Tracy (Dakota) Aldrich, Ryan Ruppel, Amy (Adam) Linden, Sarah (Ben) Bell, Katie (Tyler) Hess, and Ben Gansemer; 35 great-grandchildren; sisters, Darlene (Emil) Weber of Epworth and Sally (Cletus) Bleile of Dubuque; brother, Clarence (Darlene) Gansemer of Sherrill; and sisters-in-law, Kay Habel of Dubuque and Rose (Barry) Brinkmeyer of Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Henry was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Theresa Gansemer; his in-laws, Clarence and Genevieve Backes; two children, Thomas and Anne Gansemer; granddaughter, Molly Gansemer; his brothers, Herman, Lawrence, and LaVerne Gansemer; sister, Viola Hefel; brothers-in-law, Mick Hefel and Ron Habel; and sister-in-law, Marie Gansemer.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.
The family would like to extend a special Thank You to the Veteran Administration and the ladies who took care of Dad; Michelle and Courtney and the neighbors who came and cared for Dad.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences sent to the family by visiting Henry's obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.