Obituary of Joseph Herbert Willenborg

Survivors include 2 sisters: Mary Poire of Dubuque and Helen Mock of Dyersville and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers: Bernard "Barney" and Anthony "Tony" Willenborg and 4 sisters: Sr. Francita Willenborg FSPA, Marcella Brunsmann, Rita Schlung and Viola Willenborg. Memorials are preferred. Special thanks to the staffs at Sunset Place, Stonehill Care Center and to Hospice of Dubuque for the excellent and compassionate care. Joseph was born on August 22, 1920 in New Vienna, Iowa, the son of Frank and Mayme (Mescher) Willenborg. He attended St. Boniface School in New Vienna, later enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1943 where he earned a Purple Heart. Joe worked most recently as an electrician for Westphal Electric in Dubuque. He was a member of IBEW Local 704, St. Francis Xavier Parish, American Legion Post 137, a charter member of Edward W. Lake VFW Post 7736, a charter member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association and a member of the Knights of Columbus council 1734. Joe loved to hunt and fish and was an avid fan of the Dyersville Whitehawks, Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs. Friends may call from 2 - 8 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 2008, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a Knights of Columbus & parish rosary will be held at 3 p.m. and American Legion Post 137 and VFW Post 7736 service will be at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 17, 2008, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, in Dyersville, Iowa with burial in St. Boniface Cemetery, New Vienna, Iowa where military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post 137 & VFW Post 7736. Officiating will be Rev. Phil Kruse.