Zweibohmer, Winifred Johanna (Bengfort) -- 1914 - 2007

HOLTHAUS, BENGFORT, ZWEIBOHMER, CONNELL, WALZ, LENSING, WILTGEN, MOELLERS

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 9/10/2007 at 20:03:22

Winifred Zweibohmer

Winifred J. Zweibohmer died Thursday, June 7, 2007 at the Ossian Senior Hospice, in Ossian, Iowa, where she lived since November 23, 2001. She was 92 years of age.

Funeral Services were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 11, 2007 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian with burial in the church cemetery. Msgr. Cletus J. Hawes officiated with the Schmitz Funeral Home assisting with the arrangements. Music was provided by Clark Goltz who was accompanied by Deb Scheidel. Gifts were carried by the great-grandchildren and Terrence Lensing was the lector. Casket bearers were grandchildren: Lorin Walz, Dave Bruns, Ryan Wiltgen, Michael Zweibohmer, Andy and Jeff Lensing.

Winifred Johanna Zweibohmer was born September 24, 1914, on a farm near Festina, Iowa, the daughter of John H. and Catherine A. (Holthaus) Bengfort. She attended school in Festina through the 8th grade. As a teenager, she worked as a "hired girl" for families when a new child was born.

On November 4, 1936, she was united in marriage to Ray B. Zweibohmer at St. Francis de Sales Church in Ossian, Iowa, by the Rt. Rev. Msgr. M.J. Thiltgen. They met at a house party where the parlor rug was rolled up, furniture moved out, and a friend or neighbor provided violin or guitar music.

They farmed in the Castalia, Luana, and Postville areas for 29 years. After selling their farm, they moved into Postville and lived there for 32 years. In 1997, they moved to Ossian.

Winifred was a life-long Cubs fan and later became an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan. She also loved fishing, playing cards and crossword puzzles.

She had many talents - crocheting, crewel embroidery, cooking, baking, canning and wall-papering. She also spent many hours sewing clothes for her children (some out of the old printed feed sacks).

She was Ray's partner in farming for 29 years. After they moved to town, she worked at Meyer's Grill and did housecleaning and church linens for St. Bridget's Parish. Later she became head cook at the Good Samaritan Home for 10 years.

She was a Rosary Society member at St. Bridget's in Postville and St. Francis de Sales. She was a member of the Postville West Post Project Club. Her heart was full of love. She gave of herself always to help others, and never, ever complained.

She loved her grandchildren and they in turn adored her. She spent many hours playing cards and games with them, and, of course, baked many cookies for them. Every grandchild received one of her hand-made afghans when they graduated from high school.

Winifred is survived by four daughters and one son: Jan (Joe) Connell of Stewartville, MN; Doris (Art) Walz of Monona, IA; Shirley (Terrence) Lensing of De Forest, WI; Carol (Ken) Wiltgen of Ossian, IA; Larry (Helena) Zweibohmer of Clermont, IA; 18 grandchildren: Deb Bruns; David (Joan) Bruns; Kathy (Steve) Mueller; Barb (Ed) Eckert; Karla (Todd) Hanson; Lorin (Tami) Walz; Nancy (Tim) Schmidt; Jeff (Cathy) Lensing; Chris (Tammy) Lensing; Cory Lensing; Andy (Kristi) Lensing; Marcine (Tom) Raatz; Lisa (Marty) Lensing; Annette (Eric) Schweinefus; Jennifer (Allen) Schott; Ryan (Kristie) Wiltgen; Misty (Erik) Johnson, and Michael Zweibohmer; 36 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving are one sister, Lucille Moellers of Ossian, and one brother, Harold (Bernice) Bengfort of Cresco; brother-in-law, Ervin Zweibohmer and sister-in-law Loretta Zweibohmer, both of Ossian.

Winifred was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ray on November 1, 2000; a grandson, Gerald Walz; great-grandson, Nathan Lensing; brothers: Marc (Angeline) Bengfort; Virgil (Linda) Bengfort; Ervin (Edna) Bengfort; and a brother-in-law Arnold Moellers.

Postville Herald-Leader, June 20, 2007