Julius Engelken

Julius H. Engelken, 86, of Earlville, died Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at his home. Friends may call from 3 - 8 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2015, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 9, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earlville with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Richard Gaul will officiate. Julius was born January 18, 1928 in Farley, Iowa, the son of William and Monica (Gaul) Engelken. He married Irene Greenwood on November 8, 1956 in Farley. Together they farmed in Oneida, Iowa retiring in 1992 when they moved to Earlville. Julius and Irene were avid polka dancers and were involved with Iowa Pork Producers for many years. Carpentry was Julius' second love after farming. He spent many hours in his shop creating custom furniture, cabinetry and crafts. Survivors include his wife, Irene, 4 children: Steven "Oneida" (Denise) of Oneida, Jolene (Mark) Kaufman of Dubuque, Dale of Des Moines, Leann (Ed) McIntyre of Delhi; 6 grandchildren: Stephanie Cooksley, Joshua & Gabrielle Engelken, Kelsey, Cassandra & Madison McIntyre; 3 step grandchildren: Brigette (Nick) Price, Patrick (Rachel) Duffy and Megan Duffy; 1 great granddaughter, Zoey Cooksley, 3 step great grandchildren: Taylor, Liam and Nolan Price; siblings: George (Sherry) Engelken of Atlanta, GA, Cletus (Arlene) Engelken of Dyersville, Alma Brehm of Cascade; in-laws: Mary Lou Engelken of Epworth, Aletha Engelken of Manchester, Mary Weber of Dyersville, Eldon (Linda) Greenwood and Raymond (Verna) Greenwood both of Farley, and Rita Heims of Prairieburg. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Edwin and Elmer Engelken; in-laws: Charlie Brehm, Elmer Weber and Elmer Heims. A heartfelt thank you to the nursing staff at the Regional Medical Center Dialysis Unit for their support and care the past six years. Also a huge thank you to Regional Hospice and the in-home care providers. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.