Obituary of John Fitzgerald

John Fitzgerald, 84, of Dyersville died Friday, June 17, 2011, surrounded by his family at home. Friends may call from 2 - 8 p.m. Sunday, June 19, 2011, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where an Ancient Order of Hibernians Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. and a parish scripture service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 20, 2011, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate. John was born September 12, 1926, outside of Dyersville, Iowa the eldest son of Cleo and Lucille (Nebel) Fitzgerald. He attended Xavier Grade School in Dyersville until the 8th Grade. On April 15, 1947, he married Virgene "Gene" Wessels at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville. Together they made their home in Dyersville. John owned and operated the Worthington Feed Mill for several years, was a mail carrier in Worthington and Dyersville. He also farmed near the Southwest corner of Dyersville. He enjoyed other occupations, but his pride and joy and latest venture was Dyersville Electric Motors and Farm Products. He was a charter member of the AOH Dubuqe County # 1, enjoyed raising his family and watching his grandchildren grow up. He is survived by 4 children: Steve (Mary) Fitzgerald, Tim (Janet) Fitzgerald, Tom (Linda) Fitzgerald, and Sarah (Pat) Graham, all of Dyersville, 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; siblings: Bob Fitzgerald and Carol (Leo) Klostermann both of Dyersville, Jim Fitzgerald of Oelwein, Mary Jane Banning of Monroe, WA, and Bev (Rollie) Sampson of Colesburg; a sisters-in-law, Karen Fitzgerald and Emma Wessels, both of Dyersville, and Sr David Wessels of Dubuque. He was preceded in death by his wife, a sister, Lois Fitzgerald, 2 brothers, Dale and Ed Fitzgerald; brothers-and-sisters-in-law: Keith Banning, Marion "Cookie" Fitzgerald, Ralph and Martha Wessels, Marcella and Elmer Krapfl, Isabella and Clarence Engelken, Delores and Earl Pfohl, LuAnn and Steve Reicher, Donald and Norma Wessels and Jimmy Wessels.