Obituary of Eugene Laverne Oberbroeckling

Eugene L. “Gene” Oberbroeckling, 83, of, Dyersville died Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque. Visitation will be held 2 - 8 p.m. Sunday, January 31, 2016, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville where a parish vigil service will be held at 2 p.m. and the American Legion will gather at 7 pm. Visitation will continue Monday from 9 – 10 a.m. at Kramer Funeral Home prior to funeral services. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 1, 2016, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery where military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 137. Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate. Gene was born May 21, 1932, in New Vienna, Iowa the son of Alphons and Anastacia “Stacy” (Lansing) Oberbroeckling. He was inducted into the Army in 1953 and served two years at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He married Marita Henkels on August 20, 1956, in Luxemburg, Iowa, and together they raised their family in Dyersville. Gene retired from the Western Dubuque School System. He enjoyed coaching and has influenced many kids through Little League, Babe Ruth, and girls’ softball. Gene loved their winter stays in Florida, many games of cards with great friends and grandkids, a good or bad golf game, a little fishing, cinnamon rolls in the morning, the Honor Flight, and the camaraderie of his fellow Legionnaires. His home was a safe haven for his family and their friends. His gentle kindness, encouragement, patience and non-judgmental character taught us much about humility and love. Its 5:00 somewhere dad, cheers! Survivors include wife of 59 years, Marita, 5 children: Sandy (Randy) Goerdt, of Algonquin, IL, Sheri (Greg) White of Rockford, IL, Russ (Deanna) Oberbroeckling of Tampa, FL, Doug (Cathy) Oberbroeckling and Ann (Steve) Spoden, both of Crystal Lake, IL; 12 grandchildren: Colin and Kyle Goerdt, Joe, Matt and Carrie White, Kelsey and Hannah Oberbroeckling, Chase and Morgan Oberbroeckling, Maxwell, Maddie and Carter Spoden; a sister: Clarice (Pete) Domeyer of Dubuque; in-laws: Herb Tegeler of Dyersville, Angela Oberbroeckling of Dyersville, Carrie Swingler of Benton Harbor, Mich., Pete Henkels and Geny Duehr, both of Dubuque, Therese (Dan) Engelken of Dyersville, Tony (Judy) Henkels of Cape Coral, FL, and Marge Bowerman of Coal City, IL, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Don (Charlotte) Oberbroeckling, Doris Tegeler, Betty (Marvin) Olsem, Ralph (Helene) Oberbroeckling, in-laws: Bud (Marilyn) Henkels, Tom Henkels, Ray Swingler, Marge Henkels, Donald Duehr. Memorials are preferred to American Legion Post 137 or St. Francis Xavier Basilica. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.