Ralph C. Bergfeld 1932-2014

BERGFELD, KOOPMAN, DENLINGER, ARENSDORFF, DEMEYER, DECKER, FREDERICK, MAUSSER, WILD, GERDEMANN, CLEMEN

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 10/16/2015 at 19:35:06

Ralph C. Bergfeld, 82, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 30, 2014, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 4th, at St. Joseph Church, Key West, with Rev. Scott Boone officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery with full military detail by American Legion Post #6. Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. today at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd, where a parish wake service will be at 3:00 p.m.

Ralph was born on August 25, 1932, in Centralia, Iowa, the son of Clem and Margaret (Koopman) Bergfeld. He retired from Browning Ferris Industries (BFI) as a route supervisor in 1997. Ralph served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and was a member of the Amvets Post #13. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus JFK Council 5513 and was family of the year in 1982 to 1983.

He married Marilyn Denlinger on May 15, 1956. For 82 glorious years, Ralph shared his faith with God, his love of family, and the land he farmed. Ralph shared these attributes in his family and friends. Ralph was tough, fair, opinionated, and fun to be around. Ralph loved to laugh. Through his example each of us is a better person in our community.

Ralph's legacy is the family and friends that surrounded him. His family and friends will miss the joy he brought to gatherings, his smile. His lifelong faith provides his family and friends with the knowledge that he is in heaven at the right hand of the father smiling and sharing. Ralph we love you, we miss you, we thank you.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marilyn; his children, Thomas (Linda) Bergfeld, Otter Creek, Iowa, Cathy Arensdorff, of Dickeyville, Wisconsin, Mary Ann (Robert) DeMeyer, of Alexandria, Virginia, David (Delphine) Bergfeld, of Epworth, Iowa, Laurie (James) Decker, of Bellevue, Iowa, Lisa Frederick, of Dubuque, Iowa, Martin (Angie) Bergfeld, of Bernard, Iowa, Joan (Bill Brus) Mausser, of Cascade, Iowa, Sara (Mike) Wild, of Dubuque, Iowa, and Ami (Nick Koos) Bergfeld, of Cascade, Iowa. Twenty grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one on the way.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Mary Gerdemann, Jim Bergfeld and Bernie Bergfeld; his mother and father-in-law, Carlyn and Marie Denlinger; and sister-in-law, Carol Clemen.

In lieu of flowers, a Ralph Bergfeld memorial fund has been established.

The family wishes to thank Mercy Medical Center nurses and staff, and Hospice of Dubuque for all their loving care they gave to Ralph and his family.

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Friday, October 3, 2014