John Mashek

John Mashek, age 91 of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Wellington Place in Decorah, Iowa.

Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 304 S. Maryville St., Calmar, Iowa, with Pastor Henry Huber presiding. Burial will follow at the church cemetery with Military Rites. Lunch will be served at the South Winn Country Club, 2558 175th St., Calmar, Iowa, following the burial.

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Helms Funeral Homes/ French Chapel, 202 South Washington St., Calmar, Iowa. There is no visitation prior to the service on Friday.

John, known as Johnny by many, was born November 29th, 1933, the son of William and Regina Mashek of Calmar, Iowa. He attended St. Aloysius school in Calmar through the 8th grade. Afterwards, he started farming with his dad and helped neighbors and local farmers when needed. On November 19th, 1953, he was drafted into the U. S. Army and was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for this training. On April 11th, 1954, he shipped to Germany, where he was stationed until his formal discharge on October 12, 1955.

On April 30, 1956, he married Dorothy Kleve at St. Francis De Sales Catholic church in Ossian, Iowa. They were blessed with 6 children. They started farming near Calmar for 2 years, Protivin for 5 years, and then on January 23rd 1963, they moved to his parents' farm near Calmar after the death of his mother. John loved his Brown Swiss cows, and in 1965, he joined the National Brown Swiss Association and started the Hilltop Acres prefix, which is well known worldwide today. After retiring and moving to town, John worked part-time for the Calmar Veterinary Clinic for 13 years and helped part-time on the farm. He enjoyed many trips with Dennis delivering animals throughout the country.

John loved sports, especially the St. Louis Cardinals, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He also loved golfing (he was a member at the South Winneshiek Country Club for 44 years), fishing, and hunting. He was quick with a smile or a joke and some fun ribbing of friends and family. He was always ready for a game of cards, often carrying a deck with him and likely set some sort of record for the number of times he pulled the Joker out of the blind. He loved playing cards and spending time with family and friends, especially with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. On May 24th, 2017, John was on the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, which he enjoyed tremendously. He was proud to receive the Quilt of Valor on May 29th, 2017, for this service.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy; daughters Deborah (Steve) Schmitt, Susan (John) Hackman, Mary (Perry) Watt; sons Dennis (Barb) Mashek, Dean (Tracy) Mashek, Doug (Mara) Mashek; 15 grandchildren, Jeff Schmitt, Samuel Schmitt, Matthew (Casi) Hackman, Darin (Christy) Hackman, Chelsea (Brian) Dahl, Katie (Jeff) Mracek, Dustin (Lindsay) Watt, Joshua (Gina) Mashek, Kylie Mashek, Tanner Mashek( special Friend Adele), Alanda (Chase) Holien, Erika (Seth) Dunt, Devin Mashek (special friend Jessica), Jenna Mashek and Sean Mashek; and 24 great grandchildren, Makenna, Riley, and Tyler Schmitt, Quinn, Hudson, Micah, Nolan, and Isaac Hackman, Jocelyn and Jackson Dahl, Macy and Aubrey Mracek, Ayla, Owen, Emmett, and Eden Watt, Parker, Paxton, Pryce, and Paislyn Mashek, Camden and Lily Holien, and Jayce and Ivy Dunt, and sisters in-laws Henreitta Bushman, Leonilla Imoehl, and Gayle Mashek.

John was preceded in death by his parents, William and Regina Mashek; parents-in-law, Arnold and Anna Kleve; sisters and spouses Margaret (Leonard) Mracek and Judy (Wesley) Kuboushek; brothers Robert and Stanley Mashek; and brother-in-law Laverne Imoehl, Jim Kleve, and Gene Kleve.

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