Obituary of Gerald Bernard Engelken

NEW VIENNA, IOWA Gerald "Sunshine" B. Engelken, 88, lifelong resident of New Vienna, passed away Saturday, April 20, 2013, at Oak Crest Manor, surrounded by his family. Friends may call from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a vigil service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at St. Boniface Catholic Church with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. O'Connor will officiate. Jerry Engelken (aka Sunshine, aka Grandpa Bud) was born on January 20, 1925, to John and Margaret (Bergfeld) Engelken. He was educated at St. Boniface School, New Vienna, Iowa. Jerry married Rita Mae Bildstein of Petersburg, on January 20, 1948. They farmed near New Vienna until they moved to town in 1987. Jerry and Rita loved music and dancing. It was a joy to watch them float effortlessly around the dance floor to ballroom music. Big band, polkas and country music were staples on their radio and TV. They also enjoyed traveling. Amidst the dancing, and before the traveling, they raised seven children. An auto accident claimed Rita's life on May 16, 1991. Jerry was an inspiration to his children and grandchildren as he showed determination and courage, working hard to learn how to walk again and live again after that car accident. On June 26, 1993, Jerry married Hilda (Hefel) Wagner. They, too, enjoyed traveling, and he had a special place in his heart for the good times he shared with Hilda's children Janet (Clyde, now deceased) Kruse and Clyde (Peggy) Wagner and their children and grandchildren. Hilda preceded him in death on October 20, 2008. Besides farming, Jerry wore other hats: He sold Tomco Seed, hauled gas cylinders for Clarence Fangmann, and was a substitute LP bulk-truck driver for Krapfl Oil Co. He served on the Co-op Oil Co. Board of Directors and the Farm Bureau Board of Directors; he also served on the Democratic Election Committee and worked in the polling room for many years. He was a charter member of the Tri-County Sportsmen's and a trustee for New Wine township. He was a lifelong member of St. Boniface Parish and a Church Board and Holy Name member. Jerry enjoyed life, grabbing onto each moment with gusto. He had an unforgettable deep belly laugh, unmistakable, even in a crowded room. He wasn't big on self-pity. No matter what he was dealing with, he would say, "You have to make the best of it; what else can a man do?" There was a reason most people knew him best as Sunshine. Jerry was happy with the simple things in life: farming, Rita's roast beef dinners, fishing trips with friends, coffee with a little cream, donuts, bacon, tapioca salad, and ice cream. He enjoyed making and sharing his specialty, pickled pig's feet. He loved playing cards with his card-club friends and sons and sons-in-law, which on occasion became outlaw games. He couldn't wait for spring and the planting of colorful flowers. Even when he could no longer plant them himself, he carefully considered and then instructed where each one should be planted. Jerry wouldn't have fared well on a deserted island—no one to socialize with. He loved a cold beer or a water ball and good friends to share a drink, a laugh, and stories. And he loved his family dearly. Family left to miss him include two sons, Patrick (Carol) and Brian (Kathy) Engelken, both of New Vienna; five daughters: Sharon (Duane) Petsche, DeWitt; Bonnie (Ken) Schroeder, Holy Cross; Marilyn (Steve) Rutz, East Dubuque, IL; Jane (Phil) DeShaw, Dyersville; and Lynann (Mark) Roeder, Manchester; 22 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren (the 31st due in July), 2 step-great-grandsons, and Buddy the dog. Also, two sisters: Virginette Link and Darlene Steger; a brother, Daniel (Therese) Engelken, and sisters-in-law Adelaide, Mary, and Norma Bildstein. Besides Rita and Hilda and his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his infant son Duane; a great-granddaughter, Jazlyn Petsche; a brother, Elmer; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Donald A. Steger, Lawrence Bildstein, Joseph Bildstein, Jr., Andy Bildstein, Clarence and Charlotte Bildstein, Ambrose Bildstein, Cletus Bildstein, Peter and Marie Rausch, and Laverne and Irene Kruse. You are our Sunshine, Our only Sunshine, You make us happy, When skies are gray, You'll never know, Dad, How much we love you, And you are with our dear Lord, today. The family would like to extend their appreciation to Hospice of Dubuque, especially Edna, Jenni, Anji, and Pastor Grace, and to Oak Crest Manor in Dyersville. Dad said of them, "They're the best."