"Oh, I don't know why I was thinking of George the milkman today but I searched with that title, added Fort Dodge and lo and behold, I found his obit. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. I have so many fond memories of George from when I was a young child on 10th Avenue North. May he RIP. Mary Lynn Loots"
In loving memory of
George Niemier
November 25, 1930 - June 26, 2020
George Henry Niemier, 89, of Fort Dodge passed away June 26, 2020 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home.
A lifetime resident of Fort Dodge, George graduated from FDSH in 1949 where he played on the basketball team, which won its way to the state tournament. He married Shirley Knack in 1950 and six children were born of this union. They later divorced. George played AAU basketball for several teams, played for years at the YMCA and was also on several local softball teams. He enjoyed coaching numerous youth basketball, baseball and football teams for many years.
George had several short-term jobs before he began a 13-year career with Oberg Dairy in 1953. In 1966 he and the late Eldon Hunt started G & E Dairy. They owned and operated the business until 1978 when George became sole owner. He continued the business until his retirement in 2001. George was the last home delivery milkman in the state of Iowa.
After retirement he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. His favorite past times were meeting his friends for morning coffee, watching sports and Jeopardy on TV, and doing crossword puzzles or sudoku.
He is survived by his wife, Gale Gibson; his children Toni (Dave) Vaughn of Olathe, KS, Gail Dunn of Tacoma, WA, Paula (Kevin) Anderson of Knoxville, IA, Rhonda (Roger) Gustafson of Lehigh, IA, Rick (Jackie) Niemier of Marion, IA; grandchildren, Bryan (Julie) Vaughn, Alyssa Vaughn, Ashley (Matt) Bratlien, Alexis Dunn, Carrie Condon, Sean Utley, Tammy Utley, Blake (Lacey) Utley; 8 great-grandchildren; sister, Diane (Jim) Lutz of Littleton, CO, sister-in-law, Joyce (Jim) Russell and brother-in-law, Keith (Diane) Gibson.
George was preceded in death by his parents, Frank & Sylvia Klinefelter Niemier; his step-mother, Laurabelle Niemier; daughter, Karla Sue Niemier; sisters, Norma Jean Ogburn, Darlene Preston and brother, Dale Niemier.
In light of the pandemic, no services will be held. The family requests that your favorite memories of George be submitted via the Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home tribute page in lieu of visitation/services. Memorials will be left to the discretion of the family.
Tributes
"I am so sorry to hear of the passing of George the milkman. He delivered milk to our house during my childhood. One day mom had made cinnamon rolls and just taken them out of the oven when George came to deliver. Mom, dad and George sat at the table had rolls and freshly delivered milk. He was a one of a kind. I am so sorry for our loss."
"I am so sorry for your loss. I'll always remember him coming to our door when I was little, knocking on the open doorb yelling "Milkman - what do you need today?". And my Mom yelling back ""we need 2 today George!" Very fond memories of a kind and friendly man."
"I am writing on behalf of my husband, Bob Ebersole. George was (is) a very special friend of Bob's. They had a special bond. They went to elementary school together and then High School. They lived relatively close together during those years. They both giggle at the crazy things they did as kids. They tell of picking up cigarette butts and taking one last puff before discarding again. Bob didn't attend a lot of reunions, but he always checked with his buddy George to see if he was going before he committed. Sympathies to Gale and his family. Doris Ebersole for Bob Ebersole"
"My sincerest sympathies to all. I love being part of the generations that knew ?George, the milkman?. God bless. ???"
"My sister-in-law, Mary Ann Wilson, got me started buying milk from Eldon about 1971. When George took over, we continued taking milk from East Lawn Acres to Bobtown. When I went to work, we gave George a key. So he could the milk in the refrigerator on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He even got along with our dog. We took milk until George retired. He was a great milkman. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Betty, Susan, Judy, Ed, Jeff, Patrick and David Cook"
"George was our milkman for all of my childhood. Always happy and loved to catch the neighborhood boys shooting hoops in Harty?s driveway and would join them. I read he was the last milkman in Iowa. He was also the best. Condolences to his family. "
"Sweet George.The BEST milkman EVER.All the kiddos loved him. Each one has soecial bonds with George.Tammy Chris Jessica and Frank Lyon loved THEIR MILK MAN.. Deepest sympathy and our heart and prayers to all of you. "
"George delivered milk to our family, and I still remember he always seemed as happy to see us as we were to see him. Sincere condolences to his family, God bless you George."
"George was our milkman for many years. Always came in the back door to look in the fridge and see what we needed. And with 5 kids in our family we usually needed a lot! I?m sad to see that he has passed. My condolences to the family. George was loved by many many people and he will be missed."
"The Niemier's lived across the street from us in the 60's. George did just like everyone said,. he would come in check things out and leave what was needed. Our dog would go crazy over his uniform but when he didn't have his uniform on the dog loved him. George was a cool guy. I think he had more of impact on Ft Dodge than he ever could know. God Bless Rick and the family"
"One of my first jobs was delivering milk for George and Eldon. Mostly to stores but every so often I?d deliver to homes. George always told me to be polite and say ?Milkman? if I was placing the milk in the fridge! People actually left the back door unlocked for him. I recall the first day in Connie Goodman?s class and he asked Gail if George was her father. Said FD would have won the state tournament if George had not graduated early! My thoughts and prayers to all of you. Doug"
"I am so sorry for your loss. I have thought of George, in the fifties, having access to our house to keep the refrigerator stocked with milk. Always a happy and friendly greeting. Good memories of a friend. With sincere sympathy. Terry Hartman "
"Gail, So sorry for your loss. I did not know your Dad but knew the Oberg story from working with you and the Hunt girls at the fabric store. I really enjoyed working with you and planning sewing projects back then. Sonja Mernka Scott"
"I grew up and lived in Hawaii until I retired, and did not know most of my extended family, so did not have the opportunity to meet Uncle George. I learned from Uncle Jim and Aunt Diane Lutz of Uncle George?s passing. I can see by the comments left here by those who knew him that he was a kind and generous soul. Please take comfort in the Bible?s promise of a future resurrection as found in Acts 24:15. Martin Grant Skippergrumby@aol.com"
"I am so very sorry for your loss. As far back as I can remember, in the early to mid 50?s, George was our Milkman. As I remember, he would stop at our house around 9 AM, come in the house, check the refrigerator and stock it with our needed milk. He would then sit down at the kitchen table and have a cup of coffee with my mother. Fond memories and I trust that the memories your family shares will strengthen and comfort you during this difficult time."
"I STILL THINK OF HIM EVERY TIME i DRIVE BY HIS OLD TRUCK EAST OF AIRPORT. SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS"
"OH I AM SO SORRY I KNOW RHONDA ALSO AND I SPELLED GAIL WRONG! LOVE YOU ALL SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS!"
"When I was a little girl, George was our milk man. He was always friendly and had a big smile. We all loved him. "
"When I was a little girl, George was our milk man. He was always friendly and had a big smile. We all loved him. "
"Rick and the rest of the rest of the Niemier family, I am sorry to hear of your loss. George was a good coach but a better man. I really enjoyed getting to know him and playing baseball for him, good memories! During my last year of teener baseball I was not going to play because of family issues. George came to my house to ask me to play. He said, Steve you have to come out, your the best catcher in the league (whether that was true could surely be debated). I said, George I don't have any way to get to the games. George told me anytime you need a ride I will pick you up and take you home. I played and George was true to his word. God Bless You All!"
"THE MILKMAN! I KNEW TONI, PAULA AND GAYLE! I WORKED FOR OBERG'S DAIRY! BUT WENT TO SCHOOL WITH THE GIRLS! MY DAD WAS HAROLD HOMER HILL AKA HOCKEY! BROTHER RANDY WAS IN BASEBALL WITH YOU I THINK RICK?"
"Where do I begin? I guess my most endearing story is when I was a poor, struggling student working my way thru college. I was a waitress at the infamous Black Knight. Georgie would stop in for a cool one after a long day of delivering milk. Well one day , he must have overheard me whining about not having enough gas money to get home for a special occasion in Storm Lake. Low and behold, when I got off work that night there was a twenty dollar bill laying in the front seat of my beat up car. Mind you, he never admitted he was the generous human being who offered me a handout that day long ago. But, that was his way...A giver who I loved so very much! Honored to call him my friend and brother in law. Oh.... BTW...he later admitted it was him. RIP, dear friend...fly away! "
"I have so many treasured memories of George. He was a wonderful, funny, smart & caring man. I?m honored to be his friend. I met George through his wife Gale & her sister Joyce. Rest In Peace, George. You will be missed. Kerry & Terry Noethe"