Obituary of Leon Francis Funke

DYERSVILLE, IOWA

Leon F. Funke, 79 of Dyersville, Iowa passed away Sunday, December 17, 2017, at Unity Point Medical Center, Dubuque, Iowa.

Visitation will be held 2 - 8 p.m. Thursday, December 21, 2017, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12^th Ave SW in Dyersville, where the Knights of Columbus Council 1734 and Dubourg Assembly will stand honor guard from 4-6, the Dyersville Volunteer Fire Department will attend at 6 pm, an American Legion Service will be held at 7 pm.  Visitation will continue on Friday from 9-10 a.m. prior to funeral services.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 22, 2017, St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, Iowa with burial in the church cemetery where military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 137.  Rev. Dennis Conway will officiate.

Leon was born January 6, 1938 in Dyersville, Iowa the son of Hugo and Regina (Deutmeyer) Funke.  He entered the service October 1956, and served through July of 1958.  Leon married Karen Rahe on September 9, 1959, in Dyersville, Iowa.  Together they farmed east of Dyersville and he was a district seed salesman until his retirement.  He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Iowa State fan and took great pride knowing all of his children and grandchildren attended the local Catholic school system.  Leon enjoyed family time and giving his grandchildren a hard time.  He was a 4^th Degree Knights of Columbus member, a member of American Legion Post 137, a former Dodge Township Trustee and served on many parish boards. 

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Karen, children: Fred Funke, Joyce (Lenny) Heims, Rick (Marcia) Funke, Russ (Lori) Funke, Karol (Jerry) Goedken, Carmen (Rod) Naber, Kathy (Tim) Sweeney, Chuck (Michelle) Funke all of Dyersville, Jackie (Terry) Bell of Hopkinton, Colleen (John) Bonert of Petersburg, grandchildren: Kristi Kunz, Matt & Troy Heims, Kelli, Kyle & Kara Bell, Jessica, Emily & Morgan Funke, Ashley Wilson, Rachael Trenkamp, Amy Olsen, Chelsey, Holly & Luke Funke, Kaitlyn & Ben Goedken, Tony & Cody Naber, Jodi Troutman, Jenna, Amber, Erin & Derek Bonert, Terra, Brooke & Trent Koelker, Megan, Ryan & Leah Funke, great grandchildren: Parker & Avery Kunz, Bria & Will Olsen, and baby Wilson due in January, siblings: Verna Lee Digman, Rita (Lawrence) Lansing, Floyd (Janet) Funke, Lois (Art) Kern, Theresa (Charlie) Schindler, Darlene (Wayne) Wegmann, in-laws: Laverne Mensen, Bob Burlage and Ken (Shirley) Rahe.

He was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law: Gerald (Agnes) Rahe, son-in-law, Todd Koelker, three infant grandchildren: Carrie Naber, Mitchell & Melissa Goedken, siblings: Dorothy (Leo) Mensen, Janice Mensen and Mary Lou Funke; in-laws: Edward Digman and Marilyn Burlage.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.