George Robert Selk

George Robert Selk, Jr., 87, of Traer, Iowa, died peacefully with family by his side on December 19, 2023.

George Selk was born on February 25, 1936, to George and Ida Selk in Waterloo, Iowa. After graduating from La Porte City High School in 1954, George traveled west with a friend, building silos in Montana before being drafted by the Navy in 1955. He was honorably discharged from service in 1957. After his stint in the Navy, he tried his hand at entrepreneurship, owning and managing The Lounge in La Porte City. George’s business sense guided him to explore other business ventures before taking over the family farm in the early 1970s.

After 20 plus years of successful farming, George hung up his coveralls and spent his time traveling around the country and the world, often with his sisters and their husbands. George enjoyed history and was an avid reader. He could talk for hours about the history of La Porte City and the surrounding areas.

Although George never married or had children himself, he was much loved by all his nieces and nephews. He graciously opened his home to family gatherings on the farm, allowing the “kids” to reminisce and relive childhood memories.

George is survived by his sister, Charlene Cole, his nephews Jack Cole, Jim Cole and Steve Solinski and his nieces Suzanne Crawford, Sandy Solinski, Sharon Poplin and Ann Cole and their spouses Dick Crawford, Dan Poplin, Mimi Cole and their children.

George was preceded in death by his parents, George and Ida Selk, his sister, Zaida Solinski, his nephew Richard Cole and his two brothers-in-law, George Solinski and Fred Cole.

Graveside services will be held April 19, 2024, 1:00 pm at the Dysart Cemetery in Dysart, Tama County, Iowa. The family will be hosting a luncheon following the service at La Terraza Mexican Grill, 602 2nd St, Traer, IA 50675.