A giant has fallen and it seems to me the world should reverberate. Of course it won't because he never wrote a book, he never ran a country or a company and never even collected an organized following. He never made big bucks, nor did he spend big bucks. He simply took all of his God given talents and a cellular sense of call and moved out to be of help in every situation he encountered. He was a guardian of our work around the world in the truest sense and stood up for us locally in situations where he risked his entire reputation as a good judge of character. (I'm thinking here particularly of the 'Adopt a Village' program where we got into a lot of trouble with the United Methodist Church in Iowa.) He helped rebuild the offices (formerly a brothel) we used for our Town Meeting Iowa headquarters. He and Dorothy always opened their home to all of our wayfarers (and those of many other organizations). He worked to enable the Lorimor project and made connections for our work in many places in the world. You need not remind me of my bias, but just to make sure you don't think I am alone in carrying it, I'm including a note written by my son-in law and the obituary. It was a peaceful transition out of this world. I was blessed to be present with my step-mom. I will learn to live without my father because he taught me never to try and live without my father. (Sexism noted and understood as best we both were able to.) Grace and Peace to you all, Margaret Begin forwarded message: From: Colin Bailey <colin-is@hotmail.com> Subject: RE: William Applegate Hi All, I wanted to send a email to everyone to let you know that Naomi's Grandfather, Bill passed away today. Naomi is traveling to Iowa tonight to support Margaret. She will be there until Tuesday. Bill requested that his great grandsons and his nephews stand as his pallbearers, so Austin and Connor will be participating in the services both Sunday and Monday. We will leave on Saturday for the two days of services. He will be greatly missed by many, including us. If I learned anything from Bill in the time I knew him, it's that one person, through extending a helping hand, can change the lives of so many. Bill always thought of others first, and saw the good, a simple helping hand could do, at home, with family, in his community, and around the world. Naomi, the kids, and I could never believe the passion he put into his work and the devotion and love he gave to all of those he cared for. In many ways, although we grieve, I believe he led a great life and his life should be celebrated more so then grieved. Celebrate those you love. Celebrate in his honor by extending a helping hand to others and continue the work he started toward making this world a much better place for those in need and, in turn, all. A sad day...William Applegate, May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow. May the soft winds freshen your spirit. May the sunshine brighten your heart. May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you. May love enfold you in the mantle of peace. Rest in peace. Love to all, Colin Soderstum Funeral Home obituarty William "Bill" P. Appelgate, 95, of Story City died September 11, 2014 at Bethany Manor in Story City. Visitation will be 5-7 pm, Sunday, September 14th at Soderstrum Funeral Home in Story City. Funeral services will be 11 am, Monday, September 15th at Grace United Methodist Church in Story City. Burial is 1 pm at the Evergreen Cemetery in the Jewell. Bill was born on February 13, 1919 at home near Toledo, IA to Hiram H. and Helen (McAfee) Appelgate. He was a farmer, a skilled carpenter and lived a life of service to others. Bill married Dorothy Rex Hoversten on February 15, 1974. Bill was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, North Iowa Conference Lay Leader for many years and elected Lay Member to the General Conference for the United Methodist Church four times. He was a member and President of Story City Kiwanis. He enjoyed woodworking and restoring tractors and trucks. Bill was a tireless volunteer, receiving the 2014 Governor's Volunteer Award. He was a philanthropist with P.E.T. and Heifer International and received the Dan West Fellow Award, Heifer's highest recognition. He also received the Harry Denman Award, the highest recognition that can be given a Methodist layperson. He was an initiator and founding organizer of Iowa's Annual Ingathering which has raised millions of dollars for United Methodist International charities. He was a global citizen having worked with Heifer on four continents with the poorest of the poor. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Dorothy; children: William K. (Joyce) Appelgate, Margaret Aiseayew, Glen (Pat) Hoversten, Patty Hoversten, Janet (Lyle) Wing, Richard Hoversten, Glenda (Ron) Rahfeldt and Joanne (Robert) Pelant; 21 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; three brothers: Kenneth, Richard (Joyce) and Max; two sisters in law: Peggy Hanson and Angie Appelgate; and three nephews: Brian (Sharon) Johnson, Steve (Janet) Johnson and Alan (Joan) Johnson. He was preceded in death by his first wife: Kathryn Johnson Appelgate in 1973; his parents and brother, Harold Appelgate.