Obituary of Max W Specht

Surviving are 5 children: David Specht of New Lisbon, Wis., Elizabeth (Steve) Johnson and Paul (Kim) Specht, both of Monticello, Iowa Philip (Sharon) Specht and Daniel Specht, both of McGregor, Iowa; 14 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Loretta, a sister, Loretta Shurts, and a grandson, Nathaniel Specht. Max Walter Specht was born November 3, 1914, near Monticello, the son of George and Helena Heiken Specht. He attended rural Castle Grove #6 School and graduated from Monticello High School in 1931. Max farmed his entire life west of Monticello. Max was baptized and confirmed in his faith at SS. Peter & Paul Lutheran Church where he was a lifelong member. He served many years on the Church Council in various leadership positions and taught Sunday School for 10 years. Max was involved in the formation of Camp EWALU and served as a member of the Board of Directors. Max was a Township Trustee, a local Elections Committee member, and Prairie Hill Cemetery Trustee. He was a volunteer and provided leadership to the Jones County Historical Society, 4-H, Jones County Farm Bureau, Pork Producers, and longtime Chairman of the Jones County Soil & Water Commission where he expressed his passion for conservation. His love of the outdoors has been passed to the next generation of conservationists. He was a member of the Monticello Lions Club and a staunch supporter of the Monticello community and its School District where he loved to attend events. Max shared his life through his writings. He co-authored the Agricultural section of the Monticello Sesqui-centennial Historical Edition in 1986. He subsequently wrote a column entitled "The Way Things Were" in the Monticello Express for many years. Max expanded his community involvement by hosting a Japanese dairy farmer who lived and worked with him for a year. He sponsored a refugee family after the Vietnam War by offering transitional housing for resettlement in the US. He was a progressive farmer, establishing the first milking parlor in Jones County and was recognized as an Iowa Master Swine Producer in 1948. His farming practices reflected his value of soil and water conservation. Max and Loretta E. Thalacker were married Dec. 26, 1938, at Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. They were blessed with 63 years of partnering their faith, family, farming and community involvement. They posessed an extrordinary sense of community with decades of volunteer service. Memorials are preferred to Jones County Historical Society, Monticello School Foundation, and SS. Peter & Paul Lutheran Church.