Obituary of Eugene J. Krapfl

EARLVILLE, IOWA

Eugene J. Krapfl, 88, of Dyersville, formerly of Earlville, Iowa passed away Sunday, February 18, 2024, surrounded by his family at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque.

Visitation will be held from 2 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville.  Visitation will continue at Kramer Funeral Home from 9 - 10 a.m. prior to funeral mass.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earlville with burial in the church cemetery where military honors will be accorded.  Rev. Chris Podhajsky will officiate.

Eugene was born on April 10, 1935, in Dubuque, Iowa, the firstborn son of eight children to Lawrence and Laurine (Deutmeyer) Krapfl where he spent his childhood working on his parents’ farm. He graduated from St. Boniface in the 8^th grade and continued to work on his family farm in addition to being a hired hand at other farms. Gene met the love of his life while he was still a teen at a dance at the KC Hall in Dyersville. They were engaged shortly before he left for the Army in 1955. He returned home and married Betty Naber on September 24, 1957, at the Basilica. They began farming in Masonville before eventually settling in Earlville, farming and managing their welding shop.

Gene explored the United States for the first time as an enlisted man. He enjoyed seeing the Pacific Northwest and made lifelong friends while serving our country. Gene was incredibly creative and a jack of all trades; there wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix. He designed and rebuilt their farmhouse where he raised his family of eight. He helped repair many cars through the years and welded bikes together, that he got from junk piles. Gene repaired farm implements in his welding shop but also created steel projects such as the handrails outside St. Joseph’s Church in Earlville. He won first place at the Iowa State Fair in 1964 for a swing set he built from scrap metal.  Gene collected and created scale model toys for about 10 years. He enjoyed having a table at the toy shows in Dyersville and traveled to several competitions in the Midwest where he won trophies for the toys he designed and built from tin pop cans. He shared his love of creativity and handiwork with his children and grandchildren, one of which now does beautiful woodwork creations directly inspired by his grandpa. Gene also worked in the Earlville post office and enjoyed many years working at the Clifton Funeral Home.

The big passion in his life was his wife. Gene managed Betty’s country band, and they traveled the area, playing for weddings and anniversaries. He handled the sound systems and supported her and the band for their shows.  Gene loved Betty fiercely and was so romantic. He never forgot to celebrate their wedding anniversary, but also the day of their first date. His heart was broken when Betty first had her stroke and then passed a little over 4 years ago.  He was ready to pass on at that point as a big part of his life was gone. 

Gene was a patient, tolerant and funny father. He needed patience having three boys in a row who were quite talented at raising a ruckus! Gene loved all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren that followed. He loved a good joke, high fives, and “last tag”.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, but we’re all at peace knowing he is finally reunited with Betty.  

He is survived by his eight children: Kay (Gary) Demmer of Dyersville, Tom (Donna) Krapfl and Pat (Kathy) Krapfl, both of Delhi, Al (Melissa) Krapfl, Janet (Mike) Orcutt, Julie (Shannon) Lahr, and Jim (Deanna) Krapfl, all of Earlville, and Mary (Dr. Brad) Gamble of Dallas, Tx. He loved each of his 28 grandchildren as well as his 20 great-grandchildren with three on the way; siblings: Alice Langel, Doris Langel, Donna (Jim) Kluesner, Inez (Bernie) Kluesner, Marian Hermsen, David (LuAnn) Krapfl; brothers-in-law, Frank (Joyce) Naber, and Irvin Borgerding.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Betty in 2020, his daughter-in-law, Kim Krapfl; grandsons: Alex and Andrew Krapfl; sister, Joyce Borgerding; and several in-laws.

The family would like to thank the staff at Ellen Kennedy Center for their compassionate care over the last nine years. Also, a special thank you to the Fourth Floor Nursing Staff at Mercy in Dubuque, especially, Patty, Ellie and Lexi, and Dr. Ryan Stille of Medical Associates for all the above and beyond care.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family and information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.  Memorials may be sent to the family, (in care of Kramer Funeral Home) 750 12^th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA  52040.