Obituary of Howard John Konzen

Howard J. Konzen, 89, of Dyersville, Iowa passed away peacefully, Sunday, November 9, 2014 at Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque, Iowa. Friends may call from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday, November 13, 2014, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville where a parish vigil service will be held at 2:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 14, 2014, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate. Howard was born April 12, 1925, in Holy Cross, Iowa, the fourth oldest of five children of Anthony and Rose (Klostermann) Konzen. He married Rose Mary Frericks on August 5, 1947, in Dyersville at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, and they enjoyed 63 years of marriage until she preceded him in death in March of 2011. To this union three children were born. Howard began working at Scherrman's Garage as a mechanic and then began his 30 plus year career with Tegeler's Dairy. He loved his rural delivery routes and families for miles around knew him as "the ice cream man". The children especially loved him. He always took the time to visit with his customers and as a result made lifelong friendships. He was an avid hunter and was always up to driving through the country looking for deer, fox and coyotes. He enjoyed just going for a ride in the car or stopping at The Palace for a beer with Darlene and friends. His faith was important to him and often stopped at church just to make a visit. He and Rosie were beautiful dancers and they floated together across dance floors whenever they had the chance. They now dance together in Heaven. He was a member of the Dyersville Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years, the Knights of Columbus Council 1734 and in his later years volunteered delivering Senior Citizen Meals with Santa. Those left to cherish his memory are his three children: Karen (Gerry) Bries, Susan (friend Al Kramer) Konzen, and Jay (Cheri) Konzen, all of Dyersville, his grandchildren: Jennifer (Bill) Fangmann of Berwyn, IL, Sara (Brian) Campbell of Rockwall, TX, Angela Bries of Cresco, IA, Kelli (Justin) Hillebrand of Davenport, IA, and Mike (fiancé Ashley Hosch) Konzen of Dyersville; his great-grandchildren: Grace, Meg, Ruth, and Laura Fangmann, and Connor, Will, and Griffin Campbell; 2 sisters: Grace Ernster of Rochester, MN, and Rose Ann (Donald) VonLehmden of Dyersville; in-laws: Roy (Ruth) Frericks, RoseMary Frericks and Velma Frericks, all of Dyersville. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, RoseMary in 2011, parents-in-law, Edward and Margaret Frericks, twin great-grandsons: Peter and Jacob Fangmann; siblings: Lester Konzen and Ramona (George) Esch in-laws: John Ernster, LaVern and Elmer Frericks, Vernita Frericks and Helen (Jim) Bell; nephews: Tom VonLehmden, Steve, Jim and Tom Frericks.