Martin F. Wiest

Martin F. Wiest, age 94, of Cassville, passed away Monday, November 10, 2025, at home with his wife of 68 years and daughter and son-in-law by his side.

He was born on September 23, 1931, to Vincent and Rose (Zimmer) Wiest at home on the family farm in Glen Haven Township. Martin attended North Andover grade school, freshman and sophomore year in Loras Academy in 1945 in Dubuque, IA. He decided that wasn’t the right career for him, so he attended Bloomington High School for his junior and senior years, graduating in 1949. After graduation, Martin helped on the family farm. In August of 1952, he was a member of the United States Army National Guard in Prairie du Chien and spent several weeks in training at Camp Riley, Little Falls, MN. Martin took his basic training at Ft. Leonard, MO with further training at Camp Gorden, GA. He embarked for duty overseas in Germany from Fort Jay, New York and served two years in Germany as a Military Police Officer. Martin received several medals in his time of service during the Korean Conflict. He received his honorable discharge at Fort Sheridan IL, after proudly serving his country from December 9, 1953, to November 24, 1955. Martin returned to the family farm. On June 18, 1957, he married the love of his life, Delores Klein at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cassville. Together they farmed the Wiest family farm where they raised their three children. After selling the farm, he was employed at Dairyland Power Plant in Cassville, where he worked until he retired.

Survivors include the love of his life, Delores and their three children: Monica (Jeff) Okey, Cassville, Michelle Ploessl, Beaufort, NC, Darrell (friend Annette) Wiest, Prairie du Chien; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; three sisters-in-law; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Martin was preceded in death by his three siblings, three bothers-in-law, and one sister-in-law.

When asked about what he learned in life, Martin smiled at said, “Take care of your health and you can’t escape taxes or death.”

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cassville with Father Sudhakar Devarapu officiating. Burial with military honors will be in St. Mary’s Settlement Cemetery. Kramer-Grau Funeral Homes & Crematory in Cassville is entrusted with his care.