Obituary of Marcella Catherine Boeckenstedt

Marcella C. Boeckenstedt, 92, of Dyersville, Iowa died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at Oak Crest Manor in Dyersville. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, December 6, 2014, at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier Church, Dyersville, Iowa, with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Jeffrey Dole will be officiating. Friends may call from 2:00 - 8:00 P.M. Friday, December 5, 2014 at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa where a Catholic Daughters of America Rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. and parish vigil service will be held at 7:30 P.M. Marcella was born November 11, 1922, in Luxemburg, Iowa, the daughter of John and Antonia (Roth) Welter. She married Robert B. Boeckenstedt on June 17, 1947, in Luxemburg, Iowa. They were blessed with 38 years together until Robert's passing in 1985. Together they farmed near New Vienna until 1981, when they retired and moved to Dyersville. Marcella remained active creating beautiful quilts, gardening, reading, traveling and volunteering countless hours to the hospital and other community groups, as demonstrated by an award she received for her volunteerism from Governor Branstad. She believed in a strong work ethic and giving back to the community. Marcella was deeply committed to her faith and a member of the Basilica of St Francis Xavier. She was also a long time member of the Catholic Daughters of America. Marcella was a very caring person and cherished the times she spent with family and friends. Survivors include 6 children: Ron (Kathy) Boeckenstedt of New Vienna, Luke (Shar) Boeckenstedt and Loras (Gayle) Boeckenstedt of Dyersville, Linda (Dan) Gorsh of Oxford, Dale (Linda) Boeckenstedt of Petersburg, and Jeff (Penny) Boeckenstedt of Earlville. 6 grandchildren: Jaime (Troy) Detweiler, Kyle (Samantha) Gorsh, Katie (Chris) Nickol, Kristie (Matt) Rellihan, Angie Boeckenstedt and Adam Boeckenstedt, and several great-grandchildren, step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren; 1 sister: Edna Rausch of Garnavillo; in-laws: Anna Mae Welter of Dubuque, and Rose Boeckenstedt of New Vienna. She was preceded in death by her parents, her parents-in-law, Anton and Agnes (Beckman) Boeckenstedt, 5 sisters: Alberta (Alphonse) Roling, Lucille (Clarence) Theisen, Olive (Kermit) Mitchell, Germaine (Albert) Kloser, and Bernice Welter in infancy, 1 brother: Ralph Welter, in-laws:, Charlie Rausch, Charles (Alma), James (Imelda), Arthur (Helen), Mark (Agnes), Albert (Alice), Anthony (Julianna and Winnifred) Boeckenstedt, David and Delores Boeckenstedt. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Oak Crest Manor for the excellent care they provided our mother during her 4 years there. It is sincerely appreciated and will never be forgotten. We would also like to thank the staff at the Ellen Kennedy Living Center for the outstanding support provided during the 9 years she was a resident there, and Hospice of Dubuque. Memorials are preferred to these organizations. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com