Obituary of Delbert Patzner

MONTICELLO, IOWA

Delbert M. Patzner, 93, of Monticello and formerly of Guttenberg, IA and Rochelle, IL died Friday, March 8, 2019, at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Visitation will be held from 4 - 7 pm Thursday, March 14, 2019, at Kramer Funeral Home in Monticello where a parish vigil service will be held at 4 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am Friday, March 15, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello.  Rev. Paul Baldwin will officiate.  Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery in Guttenberg where military honors will be accorded by the Iowa Army Honors Detail.

Del was born July 20, 1925, the son of Martin and Mabel (Schiffman) Patzner and grew up in Guttenberg.  Their family delivered milk in the area.  He served in the Navy in the South Pacific during WWII as the helmsman of the LST 390 at Iwo Jima.  After an honorable discharge, he worked for the Standard Oil pipeline for many years.  He moved to Rochelle, IL where he purchased a beachside hotel and operated it for several years.  He then became a Real Estate Broker establishing Starr Realty in Rochelle.  He served as President of the Illinois Real Estate Board.  Del held a US Patent on railroad repair.

He married Marian Elizabeth “Mariann” Hamlet and had two sons and two daughters.  They later divorced and he met Verna White who became his loving companion.

He loved flying his Cessna and would take anyone who wanted a ride.  His biggest joy was watching his two grandchildren, Kyle and Cody, play sports.  He enjoyed going to Iowa Basketball games, golfing, skiing and being on the Mississippi River in Guttenberg.

Del is survived by his partner of 35 years, Verna White of Monticello, two daughters: Valerie L. Smith and Brenda M. Carter, both of Illinois; stepchildren: Lloyd (Mary) White, Jr. of Dubuque, Melissa (Bruce) Menster of Monticello; special grandchildren, Kyle and Cody Menster, and several other grandchildren and 1 brother, Joe (Jean) Patzner of Sigourney, IA.

Del is preceded in death by his parents, 2 sons, Martin H. and Martin A. Patzner, a sister, Jeanette Junk, and 3 brothers, Verdus, Danny and Mark Patzner.