Wilbert J. Abeln

Wilbert Abeln, 69, of Bellevue, died, Friday, July 11, 2008, at Finley Hospital in Dubuque. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bellevue. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery, where full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post #273. Friends may call from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 14, at Kingery~Lemke Funeral Home and again, Tuesday at the funeral home from 9:30 until procession to the church. Wilbert was born on July 21, 1938, in Bellevue, Iowa, son of Wilbert and Thais (McKillip) Abeln. He married Marilyn Zeimet, on May 19, 1962, in Bellevue, Iowa. He was employed at John Deere Dubuque Works for over 30 years, retiring on August 30, 1994. Wilbert was an easy going man who loved his family. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and working with his hands, restoring old tractors and Model T cars. Surviving is his wife of 46 years, Marilyn Abeln, of Bellevue; four children, Bruce (Terri) Abeln, of Bellevue, Ann (John) Thielen, Solon, IA, Jodi (Bill) Maki, of Bemidji, Mn, and Pam (Curt) Olson, of Walford, IA; eight grandchildren, Hayle & Clay Olson, Breanna & Chad Thielen, Madison, McKenzie, and Parker Maki, and Chloee Abeln; and one sister, Mary Lou Abeln, of Bellevue, IA; He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Kenneth and Richard Abeln; and two sisters, Virginia Ries and Eileen Galvin. A Wilbert Abeln Memorial Fund has been established. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lemkefuneralhome.net.