Obituary of Bernard August Ellerbach

Bernard A. Ellerbach, 94, of Dyersville and formerly of Holy Cross and Guttenberg died Saturday, December 17, 2016, at Oak Crest Manor in Dyersville. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at Kramer Funeral Home in Holy Cross. A continued visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home prior to funeral services. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December, 21, 2016 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Rev. Noah Diehm officiating. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Church Cemetery. Bernard was born on April 7, 1922 in Holy Cross, IA the son of George and Regina (Hullerman) Ellerbach. He married Margaret E. Freiburger on November 23, 1943 in Rickardsville, IA. Together they farmed northwest of Holy Cross for 34 years. His retirement began with the building of their new home on Thunder road. He then kept busy gardening, helping his family with their farming endeavors, traveling, woodworking and bingo. He was a longtime member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, Holy Cross Catholic Church, and was involved in many other local organizations. His greatest joy was visiting with his friends and family. Survivors include his 7 children, Dale, Kenneth (Bea), and James (Karen) Ellerbach all of Holy Cross, Donna (John)Wagner of Luxemburg, Shirley (Van) Waggoner of Asbury, Judy (Steve) Brimeyer of Sherrill, and Randy of Guttenberg; 14 Grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren; a sister, Kay Daly of Bankston, a brother, Gerald (Darlene) Ellerbach of Holy Cross, 2 sister-in-laws, Dorothy Ellerbach of Holy Cross, Modesta Koeperich of Dyersville, a brother-in-law, Donald Cogan of Dubuque. He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret, son David, 3 brothers; Lawrence (Rose), Ernest & Bill (Gladys) Ellerbach, sister Bernice (Leander Steffen, Gilbert Honkomp), Joan Ellerbach, James Daly, in-laws, Emmett (Mildred) Freiburger, Irvin (Alberta) Freiburger, Louis (Marie) Freiburger, Irene (Larry) Adams, Rosemary (Francis) Ellerbach, Luella Cogan, Rita (Ed Duster, Bob Weydert). A Bernard A. Ellerbach Memorial Fund has been established. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to River Living Center and Oakcrest Manor for all they did to care for their dad. Information available and condolences accepted at www.kramerfuneral.com.