Max Orville Palmer

Des Moines Max O. Palmer, 94, formerly of Gowrie and Rockwell City, passed away Sunday, August 27, 2023, at Scottish Rite Park in Des Moines. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Tuesday September 5, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church in Gowrie with Pastor Jim Davis and Lay Minister Beth Carlon officiating. Burial will be in Gowrie Township Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Peterson Post #431 of Gowrie. A visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Monday September 4, 2023, at Palmer Funeral Home in Gowrie. Palmer Funeral Home of Gowrie is in charge of arrangements. Max Orville Palmer was born February 18, 1929, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He moved to Gowrie November 1, 1930, and graduated from Gowrie Consolidated High School in 1946. Max served in the US Navy for 2 years and attended the University of Iowa for 2 years. Max was united in marriage with Elayne L. Wahlgren on July 16, 1950, at Elfsborg Lutheran Church in Pomeroy. He graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Max and Elayne owned and operated Palmer Hardware, Furniture, and Funeral Service in Gowrie. They moved to Rockwell City in 1984 and operated Palmer Funeral Service until retiring in 1990. Max was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Gowrie, St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Rockwell City, Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines, American Legion Peterson Post #431 in Gowrie, Rockwell City AMVETS Masonic Lodge and Shrine Club. Max enjoyed serving on Bethphage Mission Board (now Mosaic) and was chairman for 5 years and Somers Saving Bank Board (now Heartland Bank). Max is survived by his children, Ned (Colleen) Palmer of Gowrie, Polly (Mike) Johnston of West Des Moines, Hal (Jane) Palmer of Burnsville, MN; grandchildren Jill (Lee) White, Scott Palmer and friend Trey Stover, Tyler (Jessica) Johnston, Andrew Palmer, Sam Palmer, Elizabeth (Matthew) Coleman; great grandchildren, Bridget and Madi White, and Brecken and Brogan Johnston. Max was preceded in death by his parents Ted and Isa (Houser) Palmer, wife Elayne L. Palmer, and daughter Gwen Palmer. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family. SERVICES Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Tuesday September 5, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church in Gowrie OFFICIATING Pastor Jim Davis and Lay Minister Beth Carlon VISITATION A visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Monday September 4, 2023, at Palmer Funeral Home in Gowrie. INTERMENT Burial will be in Gowrie Township Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Peterson Post #431 of Gowrie.