Milford T. Nessa Obituary (1924

Milford Truman Nessa, 87, of McCallsburg, went to be with the Lord on January, 20, 2011 at the Israel Family Hospice House, in Ames, surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 23 from 4-6 p.m. at the Bethany Lutheran Church in McCallsburg. Memorial services will be at the Church on Monday, January 24 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Kathy Sandman officiating He was born on January 19, 1924 to Tom and Nina (Tannahill) Nessa in Collins, Iowa. He was the youngest of four brothers; Milo, Orville, and Tommy. In 1929 he started school in Collins. Mae Moore was his kindergarten teacher. He was such a talker that one day Mrs. Moore had to tape his mouth shut. When Milford was in third grade he moved with his family to RR Fernald, on the current day Kenney farmstead. It had long since stopped when he moved there but the property had at one time been a stop for the stage coach. He went to school in Fernald. To this day you always sense the pride of people who can say they attended the Fernald School. He quit school after his freshman year but his mom wouldn't stand for it and she made him go back. He thanked her for that decision in the years to follow. In school Milford participated in basketball, baseball, and played the trumpet in the band. He always said the teams weren't much good but they sure had a lot of fun. He graduated from Fernald High School in 1942. After high school he worked for KC New at New Farms. In December of 1942 Milford entered into the Signal Corp. at Ft. Leavenworth Kansas where he took his basic training. He learned to climb poles and string wire. He didn't like climbing the poles so he took the cadet test and transferred to the Army Air Corp. As a private he was sent to Shepherd Field in Texas for his Cadet basic training. He learned military drill and had to take his turn as the Drill Instructor. What he remembers most about Texas is that the wind would blow so bad that he and his fellow soldiers would have to get in a circle to block the dust so they could breathe. He completed basic and was shipped to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he was instructed in communications, the Morris Code and the mechanics of the radio equipment. Milford was then shipped to Hastings College in Hastings NE, where he was assigned as a radio operator and radio mechanic on board a B29 bomber. While still stationed in Nebraska Milford was permanently assigned to the 485th bombardment Squadron of the 501st bomb group of the 315th bomb wing of the 20th Air Force Company stationed in Guam. Along with his crew he arrived in Guam in the early spring of 1945. They performed numerous practice runs by bombing a runway on Guam. Milford was a part of many missions with his crew and their plane the Temperamental Witch by the time the war was over. He and his crew had many close calls. In March of 1946 he was discharged at Ft. Leavenworth and received the Presidential Unit Emblem, The American Campaign Medal, The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, The WWll Victory Medal, The WWll Honorable Service Medal, The Good Conduct Medal and his B29 Wings. After the war Milford returned to the family home in Fernald and shortly thereafter he was reunited with his good buddy, Gerald Meyers. He and Gerald did not have a care in the world but Gerald's girlfriend, Nedra Toot was not real happy with the situation. Nedra had a plan so Gerald would spend more time with her. She introduced her good friend Blanche Johnson to Milford. Blanche and Milford really hit it off and sparks flew and those sparks turned into love. On December 4, 1946 Milford and Blanche were married at the Zion Lutheran Church outside of Garden City. They moved to the south Nessa farm northeast of McCallsburg. Soon after their marriage Milford began his long career in farming. Of this union three sons were born. Milford farmed until his retirement in 1982. He then sold Modern American Life insurance and helped part time on the farm. He also worked for Sinclair in McCallsburg which later became known as First Miss. In 1992 he worked in maintenance at the McDonalds stores in Ames. He was known as McDonald's greeter and was rather famous for his conversations with everyone. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, McCallsburg cooperative, and McCallsburg Legion Post #334. He enjoyed spending time with his family, flying remote control airplanes, attending his old military unit the 315th bomb wing re-unions, and playing golf. Those left to cherish Milford's memories are his loving wife of 64 years; Blanche Nessa of McCallsburg; three sons Terry (Judi) Nessa of Huxley, Scott (Barb) Nessa of Ankeny, and Kevin (Janie) Nessa of Zearing; two extended family members Bud (Delores) Strum of Nevada, and Chuck (Shirley) Ballard of McCallsburg; eight grandchildren Stacie Nessa, Jamie (Eric) Eilers, Michael (Brad) Nessa, Jennifer (Truker) Nessa, Peter Nessa, Luke Nessa, Garret Nessa, and Kelly Nessa; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers. Memorial contritutions may be directed to the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames.