KOEBRICK, Wesley John 1932-2019

KOEBRICK, HOEFT, PAULUS

Posted By: Volunteer73
Date: 8/7/2019 at 19:13:56

Wesley John "Wes" Koebrick

April 3, 1932 - July 11, 2019

Wesley “Wes” Koebrick, 87, Charles City, passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2019 at the Ninth Street Chautauqua and is now two-stepping with his beloved wife, Donna, in heaven.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Wes Koebrick will be held Friday, July 19, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City officiated by Reverend Gary Mayer. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Charles City.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Hauser Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a scripture service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour before the Mass on Friday at the church.

Wesley John Koebrick was born April 3, 1932 in rural Bassett, Iowa, the fifth child and first son of William and Lenora (Hoeft) Koebrick. The family later moved to a farm near New Haven, where Wes attended country school until transferring to Charles City High School, where he became the Homecoming king and class president of the Class of 1949. After graduation, he farmed with his father for a short time before enlisting in the Navy. During his four years of service, he attained the rank of Storekeeper First Class and also made many lifelong friends.

While on leave in August 1953, he was introduced to Donna Paulus and was instantly smitten. The feeling was mutual, and on their second date, Wes proposed. Wes and Donna were married during his next leave, on February 3, 1954. The couple lived in San Diego until he was deployed and after his discharge in 1955, moved to a farm north of Charles City. They raised crops, hogs, and chickens, as well as milking cows for the next several years. Wes was named the Outstanding Young Farmer by the Charles City Jaycees in 1960.

In November 1965, his father passed away suddenly, and Wes temporarily took over the Koebrick Welding business in order to finish projects for his dad. This “temporary” arrangement ended in October 2018, when he finally retired due to his health. Wes and Donna continued to farm for many years in addition to running the welding shop. Wes left a lasting legacy all over the Charles City area with the many fences, railings, and park benches he designed and made. He took great pride in customers saying “If Koebrick can’t fix it, then nobody can.”

Wes and Donna enjoyed playing cards, dancing, and traveling, but their plans were cut short when Donna developed Alzheimer’s disease. In 2014, she moved to the Memory Unit at the 11th Street Chautauqua, where Wes visited every day until her death in 2017.

After she moved, Wes adopted a little Maltese buddy and named him Skoshie. Skoshie was his faithful companion until his recent move to the nursing home, forced by congestive heart failure. (Wes was especially proud that he outlived a certain doctor’s prediction by 8 months, and had hoped to remain at home.)

Wes also took great pride in his family.

He is survived by children: Linda (Steve) Barnum of Colfax, Iowa, Steve (Colette) Koebrick of Charles City, Mark (Linda) Koebrick of Roseville, CA, and Jon (Cathy) Koebrick of Cedar Rapids, IA; grandchildren: Ashley (Jordan) Schmidt, Sarah (Aaron) Nelson, Shannon (Sean) Griffin, Jared Koebrick, Derek (Becca) Koebrick, Chase Koebrick, Bailey Koebrick, and Aaliyah Koebrick; step-grandchildren Elizabeth and Amanda Barrett, Jesse (Corey), Neil (Boyoung), Luke (Jenn), and Jana Barnum, and Kindal (Andy) Dahlby; six great-grandchildren, and 14 step-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters Carol Chestek and Gladys Kellogg and brother Russ Koebrick, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 62 years Donna, and sisters Annabelle Grimm and Wilma Handt. His beloved dog Skoshie has been adopted and is being spoiled by a wonderful lady, Augusta Ellis.

The family would like to thank Hospice of North Iowa, the Colwell Fire Department/First Responders, Ron Dunn, Bob Hrdlicka, the Chautauqua staff, Dr. Molnar and Joanne Starr ARNP, Bob Hrdlicka, and the many friends and relatives who have visited and helped Wes. Special thanks go to Rick and Mary Nauman for all their assistance and for putting up with all the stubborn behavior over the past several years

SOURCE: Hauser Funeral Home