LaVertus F. Klocke 1926-2008

WEIS, KLOCKE, KRAMER, MCDERMOTT, WALSH, VANSLYKE

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 3/16/2008 at 18:55:00

LaVertus F. Klocke

CASCADE, Iowa -- LaVertus F. "Verdy" Klocke, 81, of 1101 4th Ave SE, Cascade, died at 8 a.m., Friday, Feb. 1, 2008 at Luther Manor in Dubuque.

Services for Verdy will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Cascade, with the Rev. Douglas Loecke officiating. Burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Cascade, with full military honors afforded by the Cascade American Legion Post No. 528. Taps will be played by a nephew, Bob Grote. Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m., Monday at the Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, where a wake service will be held at 4 p.m.

Verdy was born Sept. 29, 1926 in Randolph, Neb., son of John J. and Catherine (Weis) Klocke. He received his education in the former St. Francis School in Randolph, Neb.

On June 2, 1947, he was united in marriage to Rita Kramer in Defiance. Verdy farmed in Randolph, Neb., until 1956 when they moved to Cascade where Verdy farmed until his retirement.

Verdy was a World War II Marine veteran. He was a member of the Cascade American Legion Post No. 528 and a member of St. Matthias Parish in Cascade.

Verdy was a recipient of the Dubuque County Conservation Award.

Verdy loved his wife, Rita, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed working on the farm, playing cards with everybody while munching on his peanuts and going to McDermott's and Marilyn's for coffee. Verdy never lost his wit and sense of humor, even in his last days.

He is survived by his wife, Rita Klocke, of Cascade; five children: Linda Klocke, of Chicago, Kathy (Bernie) McDermott, of Worthington, Darlene Walsh, of Bellevue, Tom (Donna) Klocke and Vic (Lori) Klocke, both of Cascade; nine grandchildren, Trista Kluesner, Travis McDermott, Jennifer Steines, Tim Walsh, Melissa Sweeney, Stephanie Klocke, Jake Klocke, Mandy Bohlken and Paige Klocke; nine great grandchildren, Aiden, Halle and Julia McDermott, Taylor, Trevor and Ty Kluesner, Keegan and Aubree Steines and Brennan Bohlken; two brothers, Alex and Elmer Klocke both of Cascade; and a sister, Marjorie VanSlyke of Randolph, Neb.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Timothy John Klocke, on Aug. 13, 1968; one grandson, Jason McDermott and one sister, Adeline Kramer.

The family of Verdy would like to thank the staff of Luther Manor, especially Marsha, Lynn and Alex and the staff of Hospice of Dubuque, especially, Dawn and Sheila.

Copyright (c) Woodward Communications, Inc. 2008, All Rights Reserved. Dubuque Telegraph Herald, Sunday, February 3, 2008