Obituary of Thomas John Willenborg

Thomas J. Willenborg, Sr, 82, formerly of Dyersville, Iowa, died peacefully of natural causes on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 in Queen Creek, Arizona. 

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Sunday, August 11, 2024 at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville.  Visitation will continue from 9-10 a.m. at the funeral home prior to funeral mass.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, August 12, 2024 at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, with burial in the church cemetery. Officiating will be Rev Chris Podhajsky.

Pallbearers will be family members: Trevor, Kennedy, Casen and Tom John Jr. Willenborg, David Otten, Dan Grant, Jeff and Zach Goebel.

Tom Willenborg, Sr. was born December 12, 1941, in Dyersville, Iowa, the son of Elmer and Martha (Arens) Willenborg.  He was united in marriage to Vicki Ann (Stenger) Willenborg on June 20, 1964.  The marriage was later dissolved. Tom then married Janet Burkle, formally of Dyersville, on May 25, 1996. Janet is a daughter of the late Charles & Luetta (Tauke) Burkle. Together Tom & Jan recently lived in Corona, CA 25 years and currently 3 years in Queen Creek, Arizona.

Tom graduated from Xavier Grade School, Dyersville, IA; Campion High School, Prairie du Chien, WI; Creighton University, Omaha, NE; and George Washington University, Washington, D.C.  Since 1967 Tom was a self-employed CPA specializing in tax preparation, business and financial consulting.  Tom served 15 years in the military, was an officer in the US Army and had a deep love and respect for our American flag.

Tom is survived by his wife, Janet, who was twice widowed, (Melvin Goebel 1976, Larry Russell 1988) prior to her marriage to Tom. Together they enjoyed their combined 7 children, 12 grandchildren, one great granddaughter and numerous relatives and friends.

Survivors also include Tom’s two children: Tom-John Willenborg, Jr., and Heidi Quintero, both of Kansas City, daughter-in-law, Missy Willenborg of Elkhorn NE; grandchildren: Madison (friend Ben Gallian), Kennedy, Casen, Trevor (Jen) & Tauhni Willenborg; Janet’s four children: Connie (Brian) Murphy; Jeff (Laurie) Goebel; Jodie (friend David Otten) Honn, all of Phoenix; AZ, and Mikki (Dan) Grant of Lake Stevens, WA; grandchildren: Patrick (Landin) Murphy, Shane (friend Madie Garcia) Murphy, Zoe & Zachary Goebel, Breanna & Brandie Honn, & Ellie Grant; great granddaughter, Liv Murphy.

Tom’s siblings: Mary Zirul, Evanston, IL and Ann Holst, Bigfork, MT. and many nieces and nephews.

In-laws include Lou Ann Burkle, Des Moines, IA, Sr. Marge Burkle, OSF, Dubuque, IA, Joan Recker, Carl (Elaine) Burkle, Mary Kay (Gary) Johannes, Norma (Ron) Wegmann, Sharon (Paul) Deutmeyer, Nancy (Mike) Deutmeyer, and Sara Burkle all of Dyersville and several nieces and nephews, step in-laws: Ron Freking, Sr. Marilyn Freking, OSF, Sr. Carole Freking, OSF, (Bob) Ryba, and Rose Ann (Tom) Harvat.

Tom was preceded in death by his friend and son, Todd Willenborg, age 56, on September 16, 2023, his parents, Elmer V. Willenborg, in 2012, and Martha E. Willenborg, in 1977; three siblings: Jane Willenborg in 1973, John Willenborg in 1981, and Joyce Willenborg in 2022; in-laws: Charles and Luetta Burkle, step sisters: Betty Ryba, Janice Freking, in-laws: David L. Maiers, Dr. Eli Zirul, Dallas Holst, Melvin Goebel, Larry Russell, Donald T. Recker, and Joe Fagan.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family.  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