Weber, Ralph John Sr.

Ralph John Weber, Sr., 78, of Winthrop, Iowa, passed away Saturday, June 9, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after a long battle with health problems.

Born May 30, 1934, in Petersburg, Iowa, Ralph was the son of Lawrence and Mary (Erdman) Weber. He was raised in the northeast Iowa area and attended various schools through eighth grade.

Serving in the military from 1956 through 1958 for the U.S. Army Medical Corps, he trained for four months in the U.S. before leaving for Germany to serve an additional 18 months. He worked for a time at Iowa Steel as a welder.

Ralph married Alvera Margaret Dega on January 20, 1959, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Worthington, Iowa. They farmed southeast of Quasqueton, Iowa, and milked their dairy herd.

Being a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Monti from 1959 until its closing in 2005, he then became a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Winthrop. He enjoyed spending time fishing, welding, and farming, but his greatest pride and joy were his grandkids.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Alvera; five sons: Ralph Jr. of Aurora, Iowa, Roger of Winthrop, Ronald (Sandy) of Masonville, Iowa, Kenneth (LuAnn) of Quasqueton, and Gerald (Lisa) of Delhi, Iowa; five grandchildren, Carrie (Dan Clouse) Weber and Julitta Weber, both of Masonville, Justin (fiancé Michelle Demmer) Weber of Earlville, Iowa, and Nathan and McKayla Weber of Delhi; brothers and sisters, Lorraine Klosterman of Dyersville, Iowa, Wayne (Marilyn) Weber of Quasqueton, Richard (Janet) Weber of Central City, Iowa, Marvin (Judy) Weber of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gene (Marsha) Weber of Clovis, N.M., Delbert (Mary) Weber of Mechanicsville, Iowa, Bev (Lee) Voelker of Marion, Iowa, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Joan (Larry) Stoneking of Monticello, Iowa, Mary (Bob) Morris of Manchester, Iowa, Bernice (Art) Lansing, Grace (Dick) Neuzil, and Jane Hahn, all of Dyersville, John (Kathy) Derga of Worthington, Iowa, and Albert (Carol) Derga of Racine, Wis.; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Lester Weber; brothers-in-law, Alfred Klosterman and Herb Hahn; granddaughter, Emily Weber; niece, Angie Egan; and three nephews, Jim Klosterman, Don Klosterman, and Dennis Neuzil.

Friends may call at Fawcett Funeral Home in Winthrop on Wednesday, June 13, 2012, from 3 to 8 p.m. and until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 14, 2012. A Scripture service will begin at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

A funeral Mass of Celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 14, 2012, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Monti with Father Donald J. Plamondon officiating and Teresa Horak and Kathy Wulfekuhle providing the music. Interment will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery at Monti.

Fawcett Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Online messages may be left at .

Published June 12, 2012 in The Gazette