Frank J. Konzen, 85, of Cascade, Iowa and formerly of Farley, Iowa passed away suddenly at his home on Wednesday, October 11, 2017.
Friends and relatives of Frank may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Sunday, October 15, 2017 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, Iowa, where a wake service will be held at 3:30 p.m. the Farley American Legion Auxiliary will meet in a body at 6:45 p.m. and a Farley American Legion Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friends may also call after 9 a.m., Monday at the Funeral Home.
Services for Frank will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 16, 2017 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Farley, Iowa, with Rev. Michael Schueller Presiding. Burial will be held in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Farley, Iowa with Full Military Honors afforded by the Farley American Legion Post 656.
Frank was born April 9, 1932 in Peosta, Iowa, son of Frank and Elizabeth M. (Neumann) Konzen. He was united in marriage to Lois Kramer of Worthington, Iowa, they recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on October 4th.
Frank served in the Korean War and was a member of the Farley American Legion Post 656, for which he served as past Commander.
He worked hard all his life and was an inspiration to everyone who knew him. He worked at Chevrolet dealerships in Worthington and Dyersville before he began with the Western Dubuque School District. He worked over 33 years with W.D. until his retirement in 1994.
His love of sports, particularly baseball followed him throughout his life. He was the first little league coach in Worthington when his boys were very young. He continued to coach when they moved to Farley in 1977 until his youngest went to High school. He was proud of the young men he coached through the years, and many still will recount those years with him and how they enjoyed him. Frank was fortunate to see his beloved Cubs win the World Series in 2016.
Family was very important to him, he was a very loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lois Konzen of Cascade, Iowa; their eight children, Keith of Cascade, Kymn (Kevin Wenkman) of Madison, WI, Kevin of Mansfield, TX, Kari of McFarland, WI, Kelly (Dennis) McElmeel of Cascade, Kristi of West Des Moines, Ken (Tammy) of LaPlata, MD, and Kammy (Rod Sears) of West Des Moines; seventeen grandchildren, Shanon, Jason, Kyle, Alana, Sean, Justin, Sam, Natale, Troy, Ave, Brett, Hannah, Danielle, Paige, Sophia, Tyler and Kali; four step grandchildren, Dean, Shelby, Jordan, and Gavin; four great grandchildren, Koen, Hans, Wren, and Gianna and one step great granddaughter, Dahlia; two siblings, Lloyd Konzen of Dyersville, IA and Mary Robey of Belle Vista, AR; two sisters-in-law, Lois (Mrs. Jim) Konzen of Farley and Elaine Konzen of Dyersville; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Rosalyn Kramer of Farley, Vera Steger of Dyersville, Paul and Pat Kramer of Dubuque, Walter "Hub" and Doris Kramer and Gene and Dorothy Kramer both of Worthington, and a close family friend Bo Smith of Mansfield, TX.
He is preceded in death by his parents; A Son-in-law, John Prevo; two sisters, Ardell and Carl Craugh and a sister in infancy; three brothers, Clarence, James and Fred Konzen; his father and mother-in-law, Walter & Celeste Kramer; a sister-in-law, Mary Konzen; 3 brothers-in-law, Earl Kramer, Leon Kramer and Alan Steger; Great nieces and nephews, Shelly Kramer, Zach Kramer, Casey Craugh and Nancy Forler.
Words cannot express the sorrow being felt by the loss of this wonderful man. He will truly be missed in this world.
Our sincere thanks to the Cascade Ambulance Crew, Mercy Medical Center, along with Sr. Sharon, Fr. Schueller and Joe and Peg Reiff.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com