GARNER — Anton C. Trca, a Korean War veteran, longtime dairy farmer and familiar figure in the Garner and Duncan communities, passed away peacefully Saturday, July 25, 2026, at his home. He was 92.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 30, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan, with Father Nicholas Radloff officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites conducted by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. Fourth St. in Garner. A Catholic Workman, now FCSLA, rosary will begin at 3:15 p.m., followed by a Scriptural wake service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Anton Charles Trca was born Dec. 10, 1933, on a farm north of Duncan, the son of Anton and Lula (Nedved) Trca. He graduated from Hayfield Consolidated School in 1951.
Anton served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Northern Iowa and helped on the family farm.
On June 24, 1958, Anton married Margaret A. Thul at St. John’s Catholic Church in Clarion. The couple lived in Britt for several years before purchasing a farm east of Hayfield, where they raised their six children.
Anton and Margaret operated White Spot Dairy Farms, a purebred Holstein dairy operation. After retiring from the dairy industry in 1985, Anton began another successful chapter with 5 Star Shop Service, a shop-supply business he continued operating until the month before his death.
For more than 20 years, Anton and Margaret enjoyed spending their winters in Mesa, Arizona. Family remained at the center of his life, and he took special pleasure in attending his grandchildren’s activities.
Anton also enjoyed golfing, playing cards and following the Iowa Hawkeyes and St. Louis Cardinals. In his younger years, he played baseball.
He was a lifetime member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan and belonged to Catholic Workman, now FCSLA, the Garner Lions Club and Garner Country Club. He also served on the Hancock County Fair Board. Anton and Margaret devoted many years to working at Duncan Hall.
Anton is survived by his six children, Catherine Newman of Hartford, Wisconsin, Kevin (Cindy) Trca of Swisher, David (Melanie) Trca of Springville, Gerald (Melissa) Trca of Marion, Colleen Hutton of Overland Park, Kansas, and Susann (JD) Schlotterback of Naples, Florida; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, with another on the way; brother-in-law Dean Ricke of Britt; sister-in-law Delores (Jerry) Brenny of San Jose, California; special cousins Rosemay Hrubes and Agnes Thul; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, on April 8, 2023; his parents; and his sister, Eleanor Ricke.
Cataldo Funeral Home is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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