ST. JOSEPH'S/WIOTA CATHOLIC CEMETERY

St. Joseph's/Wiota Catholic Cemetery was started about 1900 with a two acre plot of land owned by Joseph Ballensiefer. The Davenport Diocese purchased the land and the Right Reverend James Davis deeded it to St. Joseph Catholic Church on October 29, 1913. The first burial was August L. Hank on September 29, 1900. When St. Joseph's Church (Wiota) closed in 1972 all the records were transferred to St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Anita. This cemetery was walked by an Iagenweb volunteer in November, 2011. All existing gravestones were photographed and the photos have been uploaded to the Iowagravestones Photo Project (GPP). This cemetery was previously walked and recorded in 1977 by Gertie Boggs and Karen Thiner for the Cass County Genealogical Society and updated in 1986 by Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Christensen. That recording has been published in Cass County, Iowa - Cemeteries, Book One - Benton Twp., Brighton Twp., Pymosa Twp., which is available from the Iowa Genealogical Society or you may contact the Cass County Genealogical Society for a lookup. All gravestones previously recorded by the Cass Co. Genealogical Society were found when the cemetery was walked by Iagenweb in November, 2011 except one marker: Merlin Francis. This is a very well-kept cemetery, neatly mowed and well maintained, with a beautiful view of the surrounding farmland.

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St. Joseph's/Wiota Catholic Cemetery is located on the west side of Section 34 of Benton Township. DIRECTIONS: Take the Wiota exit (Exit 64) from I-80 and drive south on N-28/690th St. (toward Wiota). You will find St. Joseph's/Wiota Catholic Cemetery on the crest of a small hill on the east side of the highway, about 4 3/4 miles south of I-80.