Home > United States of America > Iowa > Fayette County > Eldorado > Saint Petr Kirchof > Richard Loren “Richie” Vagts

Richard Loren “Richie” Vagts

View larger map

1 / 5

2 / 5

3 / 5

4 / 5

5 / 5

❮ ❯

Richard Loren “Richie” Vagts

Birth	:	18 Dec 1924 Eldorado, Fayette County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	4 Oct 2019 Alleman, Polk County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Saint Petr Kirchof, Eldorado, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate	:	43.0572014, -91.8352966
Description	:	Richard Vagts, 94, of Alleman, Iowa died Friday, October 4, 2019. Richard Loren Vagts was born on a farm near Eldorado on December 18, 1924 to Ewald Henry and Anna Eleanor (Pape) Vagts. He was baptized January 18, 1925 at St. Peter Lutheran Church by Rev. F. Schedtler in Eldorado and confirmed April 2, 1939 by Rev. William A. Foege. He remained a lifetime member of St. Peter, serving as organist there for over 50 years. Richard attended the single room Dover No.2 school in Eldorado and graduated from West Union High in 1942.... Read More	Richard Vagts, 94, of Alleman, Iowa died Friday, October 4, 2019. Richard Loren Vagts was born on a farm near Eldorado on December 18, 1924 to Ewald Henry and Anna Eleanor (Pape) Vagts. He was baptized January 18, 1925 at St. Peter Lutheran Church by Rev. F. Schedtler in Eldorado and confirmed April 2, 1939 by Rev. William A. Foege. He remained a lifetime member of St. Peter, serving as organist there for over 50 years. Richard attended the single room Dover No.2 school in Eldorado and graduated from West Union High in 1942. Although he had dreams of becoming a railroad engineer, he spent the summer of ’42 fully expecting to become a lifelong farmer until one day Ewald came to his room with startling news, “Wartburg College starts today, and I think you should go”. That morning, young Richard packed a few clothes and drove himself to Wartburg, where a semester of college cost $182. After a year of college, with the draft age recently lowered from 21 to 18, he returned home to await his call to service. He worked as a butter maker at the West Union Farmers Creamery until he enlisted in 1949. In the Army, he was trained as a radar operator, but in the Korean War served as an infantry rifleman with the 5th Cavalry where he was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Korean Service Medal, three bronze battle stars, and the United Nations Service Ribbon. After discharge from the Army, he began work as a bookkeeper at the First National Bank of West Union, where he worked 34 years becoming sr. vice president and secretary of the board. One day, the young bookkeeper made a momentous visit to Dr. Jerdee’s office in Clermont seeking a treatment for dandruff, where he met the beautiful receptionist Lavanda Angeline Olsen. They were married on May 4, 1958, a perfect union that lasted until her passing on March 2, 2018. He was an avid wood and metal worker, steam & antique engine enthusiast, could fix anything, exercised every day, and was devoted to his family and faith. He served his family, church and community throughout his life as an officer on many organizations including his lifelong church St. Peter Lutheran, the West Union Schools, the American Legion, the Fayette Co Fair, Rotary International, the Good Samaritan Center, and German Mutual Ins Co. Richard is survived by his son, David (Sandy) Vagts; grandchildren, Aaron and Hannah Vagts. He was preceded in death by his wife Lavanda in 2018; parents, Ewald and Anna Vagts; and sister Loretta Shipton. Visitation will be held Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 3-6pm at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Eldorado, Iowa. Funeral Services will be at 1 pm on Sunday, October 27, 2019 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Eldorado, Iowa with Rev. Ginny Olson as the Officiant. Burial will follow at St. Peter Cemetery, Eldorado, Iowa with a reception to follow in the church basement. Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa is helping the family with arrangements.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Richard Loren “Richie” Vagts's memorial?
Richard Loren “Richie” Vagts's memorial is located at: Saint Petr Kirchof, Eldorado, Fayette County, USA.
When did Richard Loren “Richie” Vagts death?
Richard Loren “Richie” Vagts death on 4 Oct 2019 in Alleman, Polk County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Richard Loren “Richie” Vagts's memorial?
Latitude: 43.0572014
Longitude: -91.8352966

Family Members:

Parent

Ewald Henry Vagts

(1897 - 1981)

Anna Eleanor Pape Vagts

(1901 - 1935)

Spouse

Lavanda Angeline Olson Vagts

(1922 - 2018)

Siblings

Loretta Mae Vagts Shipton

(1929 - 2008)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Petr Kirchof
Eldorado, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0572014, -91.8352966

2. Dover Township Cemetery
Dover Township, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0708008, -91.8392029

3. George Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0346985, -91.7818985

4. Oak Ridge Cemetery
Auburn Township, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0155983, -91.8683014

5. Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery
West Union, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0625000, -91.7630997

6. First Lutheran Church Cemetery
Military Township, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0897000, -91.7775000

7. Saint Anthony of Padua Chapel Cemetery
Festina, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0996000, -91.8935000

8. Stavanger Lutheran Church Cemetery
Ossian, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1041985, -91.7818985

9. Boale Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9935700, -91.8451900

10. Saint Marys Cemetery
Festina, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1205000, -91.8658000

11. Saint Lukes Catholic Cemetery
Saint Lucas, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0660000, -91.9296000

12. Young Cemetery
Washington Township, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1102982, -91.9131012

13. Nutting Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0306015, -91.7247009

14. Hillside Cemetery
Ossian, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1404400, -91.7743400

15. Mount Pleasant Cemetery
West Union, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9777985, -91.7647018

16. Eden Cemetery
Saint Lucas, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0307999, -91.9621964

17. Eden Cemetery
Waucoma, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0308960, -91.9622370

18. West Union Cemetery
West Union, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9611000, -91.8151600

19. Saint Francis de Sales Cemetery
Ossian, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1419411, -91.7569427

20. Butler Cemetery
West Union, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9738910, -91.7501880

21. Saint Johns Catholic Cemetery
Fort Atkinson, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1425018, -91.9238968

22. Oak Hill Cemetery
Fort Atkinson, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1397018, -91.9353027

23. Oak Lawn Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9986000, -91.9666977

24. Windsor Cemetery
Hawkeye, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9644012, -91.9225006