Rhomberg, Joseph Andrew

Joseph Andrew Rhomberg, son of Joseph W. Rhomberg and Madeline Enzler Rhomberg, was born May 2, 1926, in Dubuque, Iowa.He graduated from Loras Academy and later earned his business degree from Loras College.At the end of World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, serving in Germany and French Morocco.

After college, Joe purchased the Hyde Brothers Implement business and his 63 years in Elkader began.His first Elkader address was a rental unit attached to the home of Jack and Monica Donlon, who just happened to have a beautiful daughter, Barb, who caught Joe's eye.Joe and Barb were married on Aug. 25, 1956.This union produced eight children and a family filled with laughter, love and constant activity.

Joe worked hard and he played hard.His business flourished and he took great pride in serving the farming communities of Northeast Iowa.In 1980, he sold the International Harvester Implement to his partners and retired.This left more time for his many other passions.He was a constant fan at all his children's sporting events, and a beloved brother and uncle at family gatherings.

He loved the outdoors.He never missed an opportunity to be on the water, whether it was canoeing or snowmobiling on the Turkey River, fishing on a Canadian lake as far off the map as possible, sail boating in the Great Lakes, or pushing the limits of his fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico.He was an avid hunter, and after retirement, you could find him walking the fields or woods of his Clayton County hobby farm.

A chapter of Joe's life closed with Barb's death in 1995, and a new chapter began.With much more love to share, he married LaVarr Schmidt on Dec. 26, 1996, and the family grew.Joe and LaVarr were the ideal pair, enjoying golfing, card games and bowling, wintering in Florida, and giving generously of their time and treasure to their family, church, community and one another.

Joe was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2002, and he persevered courageously and successfully for many years.As is the nature of this unfortunate disease, with time, came loss.The final chapter of Joe's life ended peacefully on April 1, 2013, at Arbor Springs Memory Care in West Des Moines.

Without memory or words, his spirit remained.Those who knew him for moments, or knew him for a lifetime, were similarly touched.As was the case throughout the story, he went to the Lord comforted by the faith and love that he shared through a life well-lived.

Joe is survived by his wife, LaVarr Rhomberg of Charles City; his three brothers, Father Tom Rhomberg, Jack Rhomberg and Bill Rhomberg, all of Dubuque; eight children, Joe Rhomberg of Rockport, Texas, Jeannie Hupp of Peoria, Ill., Mary Lawler of Urbandale, Patti Simpson of Albia, Monica Keleher of Mount Vernon, Kathleen Laurin of West Des Moines, Susan Gooding of Urbandale, and John Rhomberg of Mount Vernon; three stepchildren, John Schmidt of Dubuque, Su Kloberdanz and Eric Schmidt, both of Charles City; 30 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Bailey of Dubuque.

Joe's life will be celebrated at a visitation at Leonard Funeral Home in Elkader on Friday, April 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. and at a Mass of Resurrection on Saturday, April 6, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Elkader.Burial will follow in the church cemetery, with military rites.

A memorial fund, designated for research, has been established through the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Iowa Chapter, 1730 28th St., West Des Moines, IA 50266.

Leonard Funeral Home of Elkader is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left with www.leonardfuneralhomes.com.

Published April 4, 2013 in The Gazette