Obituary of Lawrence Henry Willenbring

Lawrence H. "Sonny" Willenbring, 91, of Dyersville died Monday, January 18, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center in Dyersville. Friends may call from 2 - 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a parish scripture service will be held at 3 p.m. and a V.F.W./American Legion service will be held at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery where military honors will be accorded by V.F.W. Post 7736 and American Legion Post 137. Rev. Phil Kruse will officiate. Lawrence was born April 27, 1918, at Petersburg, Iowa the son of Louis amd Anna (Meyer) Willenbring. He served in the Army during WWII from 1941 - 1946 primarily in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. Upon his return he met his wife, Verna Krapfl, and they were married on September 29, 1947, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica. Together they farmed and raised their family near Luxemburg. He was a member of the Edward W. Lake V.F.W. Post 7736 and American Legion Post 137. Sonny was a fan of the Chicago Cubs and loved to play cards, go fishing and spend time with his family and friends. He moved to the Ellen Kennedy Center in 2006 and thoroughly enjoyed the activities and the many friends with whom he socialized. Surviving are 3 daughters: Marjean Rausch and Diane (Glenn) Lichti, both of Dubuque, and Karen (Bruce) Knipper of Delhi; 2 sons: Steve (Marge) Willenbring of Dyersville and Mark (Marilyn) Willenbring of Manchester; 10 grandchildren: Cherie Willenbring, Lisa (Brian) Johnson, Jenny (Jayme) Wulfekuhle, Scott (Tammy) Rausch, Rick (Nicole Girot) Rausch, Matt, Josh and Bethany Lichti, Eric and Travis Knipper; 1 step grandson, Corey Coleman; 7 great grandchildren; 1 sister, Adella (Clarence) Lahr of Dyersville, and brother-in-law, Art Westmark of Dyersville. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Verna in 2003, two grandsons, Chad Knipper and Terry Rausch, one great grandson, D.J. Willenbring, one son-in-law, Patrick Rausch, 2 brothers and their spouses:, John (Hilda) Willenbring, and Albert (Anastasia) Willenbring; 5 sisters and their husbands: Frances Willenbring, Leona Willenbring, Rose (Tony) Moorman, Irene (Frank) Sasson and Mathilda (Lawrence) Rolfes, and two sisters-in-law, Valerie (Lee) Mensen and Wilma Westmark. A Lawrence Willenbring memorial fund has been established.