Adrian “Abie” Box, age 84, of Salem, Iowa, passed away on August 17, 2021. He was born in Salem on July 20, 1937 to Lawrence and Agnes Holtkamp Box. He attended Saint John’s Catholic School in Houghton and carpentry school in Ames. On November 7,1959 he married Carol Ann Peterman at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant.
He employed his hard work and dedication in various roles as a carpenter, brick mason, and lifelong farmer, and owned and operated Hoschek and Box Masonry. In later years he was employed at Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility where he was a maintenance supervisor. He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and Iowa National Guard. He enjoyed being outside, working cattle, wintering in Texas where he particularly liked teaching woodworking, playing euchre with his grandkids, talking on the phone with friends and family, watching the St. Louis Cardinals, and woodworking where he made many bowls, cutting boards, rolling pins, and other beautiful creations for those he loved. He will be remembered for his tenacious work ethic, faith, stubbornness, and card playing. He never knew a stranger; just friends he hadn’t met.
Survivors include his wife Carol; siblings Dorothy Holtkamp, Marcella Holtkamp, Ed Box, Eileen (Dave) Pranger, and Norbert (Karen) Box; children Judy (Layne) Barnes, Jan (Mike) Steffensmeier, and Jodi (Lamont) Sutter; grandchildren Jesse (Mary Beth) Barnes, Janel (Scott) Fedler, Andrew (Kaitlyn) Steffensmeier, Zach Steffensmeier, Nate Steffensmeier, Lizzy Steffensmeier, Avery Sutter, and Aiden Sutter; great-grandchildren Owen Steffensmeier, Sofia Steffensmeier, and Layla Barnes; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Sally Box, and brothers-in-law Dennis Holtkamp and Adrian Holtkamp.
Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 21st at Elliott Chapel, New London, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 pm with a Vigil Service immediately following.
The funeral mass of Christian burial will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, August 22, 2021 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Houghton with Father Dan Dorau officiating. Interment will follow at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the St. John’s Catholic Church and the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.