Obituary of Aloysius John Vonderhaar

LUXEMBURG, IOWA Aloysius J. Vonderhaar, 88 of Luxemburg, Iowa died peacefully on Friday, February 1, 2013, at Oak Crest Manor in Dyersville, IA. Friends may call from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday, February 4, 2013, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where an American Legion Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5 at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 5, 2013, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Luxemburg with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Raymond Burkle will officiate. Al was born April 22, 1924, to Joseph and Mary (Wilgenbusch) Vonderhaar on the family farm outside of Luxemburg, IA. He was educated at Holy Trinity School in Luxemburg through 8th grade. He married Lucille Feldmann on November 6, 1951, at St. Paul's Catholic Church, Worthington. He worked for Nick Rausch Construction, All Steel, Farley and Loetscher, and John Deere from which he retired after 28 years as a maintenance electrician. He kept busy in his retirement continuing to work on the family farm. Al & Lucille shared the love of polka dancing and traveled throughout the Midwest to polka festivals. They were seen dancing for many years on the reruns of the 1989 television taping of the Big Joe Polka Show. If Al wasn't dancing or listening to polka music, he played it on his accordion for his own entertainment. He also entertained at nursing homes, house parties and would share the music with anyone who would listen. He was active in the Polka Club of Iowa, to which he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983. He was also a member of American Legion Post 137, and was a member of the UAW-Local 94 Retirees. Survivors include 2 daughters, JoAnn (Jim) Bell of Iowa City, Jean (Jeff) Biermann of Cascade, 1 son, Tom (Julie) Vonderhaar of Luxemburg; 3 grandchildren: Tony Vonderhaar, Jill Vonderhaar, (friend Travis Droste) and Tim Vonderhaar; brothers & sisters-in-law: Ambrose Merkes, Rose Feldmann, Imogene Feldmann, Margie Lehmann, Chuck Meyer, Mary (Lou) Ronnebaum, Rosella Feldmann, Leonard (Caroline) Feldmann, Grace Feldmann, and Delmar (Mary Lou) Feldmann. He was preceded in death by his wife Lucille on March 11, 2012, a son, James on February 16, 1965, his parents, his brother and sisters: Clarence, Anna, Mary Frances & Theresa Vonderhaar, Dorothy (Art) & Sylveria Merkes, & Elizabeth (Joseph) Clemen. Brothers & Sister-in law: Francis, Raymond (Millie), Carl, Andrew, Lawrence, Leo, Thomas & Donald Feldmann, Marie Hall-Strief (James Hall and Charles Strief), and Rita Meyer. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the loving care provided by the staff at Oakcrest Manor and Hospice of Dubuque. Memorials are preferred to the Holy Trinity Luxemburg Building Fund or Oakcrest Manor.