John Pontenberg

John F. Pontenberg, age 79, of New Hampton, IA died on Thursday, June 18, 2009 at Muse Norris Inpatient Unit in Mason City, IA. John Francis Pontenberg was born on September 28, 1929 to DeVere and Agnes (Polansky) Pontenberg on the family farm near Schley, IA. John attended school in Alta Vista. He was employed at Chamberlains Manufacturing in Waterloo, IA. John entered the United States Army on February 7, 1951 serving his country in the Korean War. John received his honorable discharge on January 13, 1953. On September 29, 1953, John was united in marriage to Norma Hormisch at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Washington. The couple farmed near North Washington from 1953 to1984. John then operated J.P. Trucking until his retirement in 1998. After his retirement he had his own lawn care service, J.P. Lawn Service. John and Norma enjoyed spending winters in Alamo, TX. He also enjoyed fishing, golfing, and playing cards in Ionia and Alta Vista. John was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in North Washington and the Alta Vista VFW Paul Johann Post #4069. John is survived by his wife Norma of New Hampton, IA; four children, Gary (Deb) Pontenberg of Cedar Point, NC, Gail (Nancy) Pontenberg of New Hampton, IA, Rhonda (Jim) Thome of Plymouth, IA, and Renita Pontenberg of Jacksonville, TX; one sister Dorothy (Nick) DiGregorio of Mason City, IA; two brothers DeVere (Norma) Pontenberg of Waterloo, IA and Duane (Lynda) Pontenberg of Ft. Wayne, IN; five grandchildren Adam and Ashley Pontenberg, Dawn Kruse, Josh Pontenberg, and Haylin Burns; six great grandchildren; one brother in law Richard Schwickerath; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters Darlene Schwickerath and Dolores Rozen; and one brother in law Patrick Rozen. Cemetery: Burial will be inSt. Mary'sCemetery in North Washington with Dawn Kruse, Adam, Josh, Ashley, Nancy, Deb Pontenberg, Jim Thome, and Haylin Burns serving as casket bearers. Military Rites provided by Alta Vista VFW Paul Johann Post #4069. Visitation: Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Sunday, June 21, 2009 at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in New Hampton with a scriptural wake service at 6:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Service: Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 am on Monday, June 22, 2009 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in North Washington, IA with Msgr. Carl Schmitt celebrant.