Obituary of Lavern Henry Willenborg

DYERSVILLE, IOWA Lavern H. Willenborg, 89, of Dyersville, and formerly of New Vienna died Thursday, January 30, 2014 at Oak Crest Manor in Dyersville. Friends may call from 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. Sunday, February 2, 2014, at the new Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville where a Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 2:00 p.m. and a parish Vigil Service will be held at 4 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 3, 2014, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna with burial in the church cemetery. Rev.John O'Connor will officiate. Lavern was born July 12, 1924 in Petersburg, Iowa, the oldest son of George and Frances (Noethe) Willenborg. He married Elizabeth "Betty" Greiner on January 22, 1946, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Earlville. Together they farmed west of New Vienna for 34 years. They then farmed north of Dyersville until 2009, when they moved to the Ellen Kennedy Living Center. After Betty's death on November 11, 2012, Lavern moved into Oak Crest Manor. Lavern was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church where he was an usher for many years. He was a member of the Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus Council 1734 and the Fourth Degree Dubourg Assembly. Lavern was a dedicated farmer all of his life, doing custom work and never losing his love for the land. He was a special deputy and also served as a Township Trustee in both Dubuque and Delaware Counties for many years. He also enjoyed making windmills, shelving units and barnyard fences for the kids. Survivors include his three children: Judy (Ralph) Weber of Dyersville, Gary (Kathy) Willenborg of New Vienna and Joyce (Larry) Mormann of Worthington; grandchildren include, Julie (Mike) Streblow, Kristie (Cory) Heims, Deb (Ryan) Waterman, Al (Lynne) Willenborg, Jeff (Melissa) Willenborg, Brian (Kelli) Mormann, Sandy (Glen) Recker, Sara (Scott) Brimeyer, Brad (Allie) Mormann and Shelley (Mike) Barbour; Laura Willenborg's friend, Dan Pfab of Bernard; 28 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers: Gilbert Willenborg of Dyersville and Fred (Ruth) Willenborg of Bella Vista, AR. in-laws: JoAnn Greiner of California, Ethel Sperfslage of Independence and Eileen Bildstein of Earlville; He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents; granddaughters: Marsha Willenborg in 1980 and Laura Willenborg in 2008, and great-granddaughter, Grace Mormann in 2007; sister-and-brothers-in-law: Mary Ann Willenborg, Lawrence Greiner, Dick Sperfslage and Henry Bildstein. Memorials are preferred to St. Boniface Church. We would like to thank the staff of Ellen Kennedy Living Center, Oak Crest Manor and Hospice of Dubuque, especially Edna, for all of the care given to Lavern and our family.