Cyrenus Elsinger

Obituary Cyrenus W Elsinger, age 88, of Guttenberg, IA, died Thursday, January 10, 2019, at Guttenberg Care Center in Guttenberg, IA. Cyrenus was born March 7, 1930 to Andrew and Irene (Miller) Elsinger in Guttenberg, the oldest of eight children. He graduated from St. Marys High School and took classes at Iowa State in animal husbandry and other agricultural studies. Cyrenus, always a devout Catholic, considered religious orders in his youth. He spent most of his life in the Guttenberg area, though after time at the New Melleray Monastery in his twenties, he then worked as a farmhand for his uncle, Lawrence Elsinger, in South Dakota. After returning to Guttenberg, he helped his father on the family farm and worked at Hilton Homes for ten years. Later he purchased a farm near Millville, married Bernyce, adopted two sons, and worked the farm through retirement. His love of bid euchre, hard work, storytelling, and square dancing was well-known to all that met him. Born in the heart of the depression and therefore fiscally conservative, Cyrenus was nevertheless generous with his time and money, giving as much as he could to diverse causes. Aside from his faith, family and friends were his highest priorities. Cyrenus, a man of the earth and the people, was an active member in the surrounding community, including Farm Bureau, the Knights of Columbus, and the Democratic Party. He was also active in the governance of Clayton County, acting as a Millville Township Trustee and serving on the Planning and Zoning Board for many years. In his retirement, he volunteered at St. Marys Church and Plagman Barn, sang in the church choir, acted as a patient advocate visiting residents at the Guttenberg Care Center, and regularly penned letters to the editors of local papers. Left to cherish his memory are his two sons: William Elsinger of Seattle, WA; Robert (Zhanar Azamat) Elsinger of Los Angeles, CA; siblings Cyril Elsinger, Tom (Debbie) Elsinger, Joan Saunders, Lois (Edward) Davis, sisters and brother in law, Jane Elsinger, Marge Elsinger, and Andy Haman, plus many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Cyrenus is preceded in death by his parents, wife, his sister Verna Haman, and his brothers Frank and Andrew Elsinger. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to: St. Marys School PO Box 847 Guttenberg, IA 52052 Services Visitation Sunday January 13, 2019 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home and Crematory Services 207 South 1st Street Guttenberg, IA 52052 Visitation Monday January 14, 2019 9:00 AM to 9:55 AM St. Mary's Catholic Church 520 S 2nd St Guttenberg, IA 52052 Funeral Mass Monday January 14, 2019 10:00 AM St. Mary's Catholic Church 520 S 2nd St Guttenberg, IA 52052 Interment St. Mary's Cemetery Garber Hwy Guttenberg, IA 52052