Wilbert A. "Bert" Connolly 1924-2010

CONNOLLY, ANTHOINE, BREHM, REHAK, DENLINGER, PHILLIPS, DESPAIN, WAGNER, HUBER

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 10/19/2015 at 20:58:05

Wilbert A. "Bert" Connolly, 86, of 3529 Key Corners, Dubuque, formerly of Bankston, Iowa, died Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, at his home surrounded by his family.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Resurrection Catholic Church, 4300 Asbury Road, Dubuque, with the Rev. Joseph Hauer officiating. Burial will be in St. Clement's Cemetery, Bankston, Iowa, where military rites will be accorded by the Farley American Legion 656 and Epworth American Legion 650. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9, at Hoffman Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home, 3860 Asbury Road, Dubuque, where there will be a scripture wake service at 3:30 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus rosary recited at 7 p.m. The Reiff Funeral Home, Farley, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.

He was born on Aug. 23, 1924, in Placid, Iowa, son of William and Mary (Anthoine) Connolly. He received his education in the Placid area schools.

Wilbert proudly served in the Army, in Germany, during World War II.

He married Marion Brehm on May 4, 1949, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Peosta, Iowa.

Bert and Marion established a successful dairy farm in rural Bankston, which remains in the family. He also worked as a carpenter and was able to build, fix, take apart and put together anything. The couple retired in 1990 and moved to Dubuque. Bert continued to work on the farm with his son, and found great fulfillment and happiness in time spent there.

Bert's foundation for his life was his faith and family. He faithfully attended Sunday Mass and prayed the daily rosary. His devotion and guidance served to mentor his children and grandchildren. He treasured the time spent with his family and friends, and the memories created over the years through frequent family get-togethers.

He was a member of Resurrection Parish in Dubuque.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Marion, of Dubuque; his nine children, Diane Rehak, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Eugene (Deb) Connolly, of Farley, Dennis (Susie) Connolly, of Terrell, Texas, Jerry (Nancy) Connolly, of Phoenix, Rosie (Mike) Denlinger, of Dubuque, Julie (Corky) Phillips, of Platteville, Wis., Bill (Brigitte) Connolly, of Bankston, Joyce (Joel) DeSpain, of Madison, Wis., and Rick (Beth) Connolly, of Montfort, Wis.; 37 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Francis Connolly, of Epworth, Iowa; a sister, Loyola Wagner, of Dubuque; and a sister-in-law, Betty Connolly, of Dubuque.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Marie Huber and Lorraine Connolly; and four brothers, Alvin, Merlin, Joseph and Marvin Connolly.

Online condolences may be left for the family at
www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com.

The Connolly family wishes to express their gratitude to the Hospice of Dubuque, especially Diane and Jan, and to Dr. Liaboe and Dr. Hermann and the Finley nurses for their wonderful care.

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Monday, November 8, 2010