Obituary of Bernard Tapke Jr.

Bernard Tapke, Jr., 85, of Luxemburg, passed away Monday, July 9, 2018, at Guttenberg Care Center in Guttenberg.

Visitation will be held from 11 am - 1 p.m. Friday, July 13, 2018, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Luxemburg where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 pm.  Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemetery where military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 137.  Rev. Noah Diehm will officiate.

Bernie was born December 10, 1932, in Luxemburg, Iowa the son of Bernard Sr. and Hilda (Lueck) Tapke.  He married Elizabeth “Betty” A. Rohner on May 22, 1954, in Garnavillo, Iowa.  Bernie had various occupations over the course of his life including farming, construction, tavern owner, and maintenance, retiring from the Ertl Company after 23 years.  Together he and Betty enjoyed wintering in Texas for over 14 years.  He recently enjoyed spending time in Florida with his friend, Bev Shafer.

Survivors include his 5 children: Steve (Karen) Tapke and Alan Tapke, both of Dyersville, Mark (Audrey) Tapke of Peosta, Gary (Lori) Tapke of Waterloo and Diane (Rick) Steffen of Luxemburg; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; a special friend, Bev Shafer of Waukon, a sister, Doris Bierman of Epworth, and in-laws: Donald (Janice) Rohner of Guttenberg, David (Pat) Rohner and Dorothy Wendell, both of Garnavillo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Betty, in 2010, a sister, Ann Soppe, and in-laws: Marcella (Dick) Dodge, Marie (Herman) Benskin, Dave Bierman and Keith Wendell.

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