Erwin Ernest Dostal, 88, of Clinton and formerly of Toledo, passed away September 10, 2013 at Alverno Care Center in Clinton. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, September 16, 2013 at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael Mescher as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in rural Clutier. Visitation will be held on Monday, September 16, 2013 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the church.

Erwin was born on November 29, 1924 at home in Howard Township, Toledo, Iowa, the son of James and Millie (Nachazel) Dostal. He attended Howard Township #1 rural school through the 8th grade and graduated from Garwin High School in 1943 as Valedictorian of his graduating class. Erwin farmed with his father and from 1949-1951 served in the U.S. Army in the United States and Guam. In 1952, he returned home to farm with his father and brother.
On July 16, 1969, he was united in marriage to Roberta Lucas in Marshalltown, Iowa. Erwin retired from farming in 1989 and in 1996 purchased a home and moved into Toledo. Since March of 2013, he and Roberta have resided in Clinton, Iowa. Erwin enjoyed many hobbies which included, dancing, gardening, visiting, fishing, playing his accordion at home and in all the local care centers and senior center, he loved to cook especially, baking rohlicky's, kolaches and bread. Erwin loved his Catholic faith, and the rosary was his comfort. He loved the land and loved farming, but he especially loved his wife, children, and grandchildren. He enjoyed attending their sports activities. He liked to watch the Iowa Hawkeye's and the Big Joe Polka Band. Erwin enjoyed raising produce and sharing it with his neighbors and local care centers. He was interested in astronomy and meteorology. He felt he was so blessed to have so many great loves and memories.
Erwin served six years on the Iowa River Farm Service board of directors, ten years on the Grundy County REC board of directors, holding several offices. He was an Older Iowan delegate for four years and served many years on the Tama County Council of Aging board. He volunteered at the Food Pantry, Share Program, and was a greeter at the Marshalltown Hospital. Erwin served on the Tama County Home & Health Care committee. He started the Emergency Beacon light project, where he raised money and delivered flashing beacon lights to homes to help the emergency units locate homes for the police, ambulance and fire departments. The three thousand lights were distributed to residents of Tama County.
Erwin was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in rural Clutier, Iowa until it closed. He then joined the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clutier. After moving to Toledo, he joined St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Tama and is currently a member of Prince of Peace in Clinton. He was a member of the Catholic Workman Lodge for over sixty years, Wm M. Saunders American Legion since 1951, Tama County Farm Bureau, Marshalltown Cancer support group, and Tama-Toledo Kiwanis.
Erwin is survived by his loving wife Roberta of Clinton; two daughters, Angela Dostal of Clinton, and Stephanie (Paul) Gibson of Charlotte, NC; seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Dale) Kasterke, Amanda (Curt) Herbig, Joseph Kunch, Sean, Zachary and Brady Gibson and Diana Chrisman; six great-grandchildren, Alex, Michael, Mykenzie, Dawson, Rylan, and Kaden; one great-great-grandson, Eli; and one nephew, Dennis Dostal.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and one brother, Robert Dostal.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to Iowa River Hospice.