Obituary of LuVern Cyril Koelker

LuVern was born February 27, 1922, in Petersburg, Iowa, the son of Anton and Kate (Kramer) Koelker. He married Anna Mae Bockenstedt on October 17, 1944 in Greeley, Iowa. LuVern and Anna Mae traveled through 48 states in the United States and Canada. Vern loved to fish in creeks & ponds. He also loved putting puzzles together. LuVern was known for whistling songs while he milked cows and retired as every child's favorite bus driver whom he always gave candy. He was a past board member of Dyersville Progress Inc. Survivors include 2 sons: Tony (Annette) Koelker of Springfield, VA, and Tim (Bonita) Koelker of Camas, WA; 5 daughters: Ruth (Schu) Schumacher of East Dubuque, IL, Connie (Dick) Helle of Peosta, Mary (Dan) Wegmann of Anamosa, Jeannie (Alan) Wiskus of Dubuque, and Faye (Joe) Schlemme of Montgomery, TX; 19 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; siblings: Allan (Marian) Koelker of Petersburg, Alma Vaske of Dyersville, Cora Gerken of Phoenix, AZ; in-laws: Ruth Koelker, William (Alice) Bockenstedt of Manchester, Cal (Toots) Bockenstedt of Luxemburg, Vern (Maggie) Bockenstedt of Earlville, Ardell Klostermann of Avon Park, FL, Agnes Putz of Dyersville and Helen (Joe) Nurre of Manchester. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Anna Mae in 2001, great grandson, Declan Joseph Koelker, siblings: Evelyn Koelker, Lucille (Victor) Vaske, Mildred Koelker, Edmund (Clara) Koelker, Lawrence Koelker; in-laws: Clete Vaske and Charles Gerken. LuVern's family would like to thank the staff of Ennoble Manor and Hospice of Dubuque for their wonderful care. Memorials are preferred to Hospice of Dubuque. Friends may call from 2 - 7 p.m. Sunday, August 21, 2011, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a parish scripture service will be held at 5 p.m. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 22, 2011, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Noah Diehm will officiate.