Obituary of David John Wedewer

David J. Wedewer, 75, of New Vienna, died Sunday, May 15, 2011, at his home. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 19, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna with the Rev. John O'Connor and the Rev. Harry Koelker officiating. Burial will be in the St. Boniface Cemetery in New Vienna. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a parish scripture wake service will be held at 5 p.m. Dave was born April 18, 1936, at the family farm in New Vienna, son of Arthur and Clara (Bildstein) Wedewer. He married Joan E. Koelker on June 3, 1961, at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Petersburg. Dave attended country school and grade school in New Vienna. He had a brief stint in commercial trucking before beginning his career in farming in 1962. Dave was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna, the Delaware County Farm Bureau, Beckman Booster Club and a longtime member of the Lone Pine Country Club in Colesurg. Known to his closest family and friends as "Wads", Dave's true passion in life was farming. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, especially watching them play sports. Dave also loved to play softball, golf, cards and particularly loved to watch the New Vienna Stars and Beckman Blazers baseball teams. Each of his children could refer to their father fondly as coach at some point during their younger days. His trademark, quick-witted humor will be remembered and missed by those closest to him. Surviving are his loving wife of 50 years, Joan; four children, Kim (Tom) Tegeler, of Dyersville, Kurt (Sarah) Wedewer, Terry Wedewer, and Cindy (Brad) Olberding, all of Dubuque; eleven grandchildren, Jamie (Doran) Tegeler-Sauer and Cassie Tegeler, Katie, David, Libby, and Petey Wedewer, Jacqui, Morgan, and Drew Wedewer, Ella and Tommy Olberding; two great-grandchildren, Ole and Isabel Sauer; two sisters, Bernice (Arnold) Lueken and Elaine (Francis) Vonderhaar; in-laws, Darlene Wedewer, Kathleen Trenkamp, Fr. Harry Koelker, Karen (Bob) Goldsmith, Carmen (Marv) Mamminga and Lloyd (Beth) Koelker. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Howard "Bud" Wedewer and Leon Wedewer; a sister, Helen Deppe; his father-and-mother-in-law, Elmer and Leona Koelker; and a brother-in-law, Lawrence Deppe. A special thank you to the doctors and nurses at Mercy Medical Center for taking such wonderful care of Dave. We would also like to thank Hospice of Dubuque, particularly Diane and Jennie.