Obituary of John Henry Oberbroeckling

John H. “Jack” Oberbroeckling, 87 of Hawkeye Care Center Dubuque (Heritage Manor), and formerly of New Vienna, Iowa, passed away on Monday, February 13, 2017. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, February 16, 2017, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville where a parish vigil service will be held at 3:00 p.m. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Kramer Funeral Home prior to funeral services. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 17, 2017, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, New Vienna, with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. John O’Connor will officiate. Jack was born on September 25, 1929, to John F. and Emaline T. (Gerken) Oberbroeckling of New Vienna, Iowa. After graduation from St. Boniface Catholic High School, Jack started his career as a Supervisor at the former Carr Adams & Collier in Dubuque. He met Iva M. Dondlinger at the Melody Mill in Dubuque and, on June 8, 1957, they were married at the Catholic Church in Springbrook, Iowa. Jack and Iva purchased the Oberbroeckling Homestead Farm near New Vienna from Jack’s parents and spent their careers farming that ground and raising their three children, Steve, Joe, and Julie. After retiring from farming, Jack also worked for a time at Modernfold in Dyersville, Iowa. Jack was a member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Dubourg Assembly. He gave a lifetime of service to the organization and held past positions as Grand Knight, State Deputy Director, and Assistant to the Master for the State of Iowa. He was a lifetime member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and held the past position of Chief Ranger for the organization. He also served as a New Wine Township Trustee for a number of years. Along with his wife, Jack sang in the St. Boniface Catholic Church Choir in New Vienna for many years. Jack was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. He spent many years playing baseball as well as fast and slow pitch softball. He coached New Vienna Babe Ruth and Junior Legion teams and was a player manager for the New Vienna Town Baseball Team, the Old Pros Fast Pitch Team, and the Vesse’s Auction Service Slow Pitch Team. He also served as President of the New Vienna Athletic Association. Jack is survived by his three children, Steve of Des Moines, Joe (Nancy) of Asbury, Julie (Jim) Wilson of Urbandale, grandchildren Zach, Jake, and Hanna Oberbroeckling of Asbury, Emily Gibson (Kraig Pool) of Lake Park, IA, Sarah (Bryce) Champlin of Leawood, KS, great-grandchildren, Layla and Brady Champlin, sister Eileen Donovan of Dubuque, two brothers Dan (Judy) Oberbroeckling of Asbury and Jim (Alice) Oberbroeckling of Coggon, Iowa, sisters-in-law Jean Smith of Sumner, Anna Mae Steffen of Maquoketa, Adelene Hefel of Dubuque, Julaine (Rich) Frank of Bellevue, and Lillian Dondlinger and Ailene Dondlinger of Springbrook. He was preceded in death by his wife Iva, two stillborn children: John and Ann, his parents, John and Emaline, and brothers-in-law: Norbert Dondlinger, Eldred Dondlinger, Valentine Smith, Leon Steffen and Bernard Hefel. In lieu of flowers Memorials are preferred. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.