Jerome Wilberding

Jerome J. Wilberding "Jerry", "Dude" 86 died Sunday, March 17, 2019, at his home in Weslaco, Texas. Wake service will be from 3:00 - 5:00 pm with Military Rites and a Prayer Service at 5:00 pm at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco, Texas. Wisconsin Service to follow at a later date. Jerome was born in Dubuque, Iowa on January 18, 1933, to Carl and Nuala (Byrne) Wilberding. He graduated from Cuba City High School in 1950. Jerome joined the Navy in 1950 where he proudly served our country in the Korean Conflict as a United States Naval Construction Battalion known as "Navy Seabees". After being honorably discharged in 1954, Jerome married Kay Altenburg and started their family of four. Jerry worked 37 years at John Deere Dubuque Tractor Works; retiring in 1991. Jerry was a loyal loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather He was an active member of the United Auto Workers Local Chapter 94 in Dubuque, Iowa, St Patrick Catholic Church in Sparta, WI, Veteran of Foreign Wars and American Legion. Jerry was a sports enthusiast and followed just about any sport there was. He loved to watch golf, football, baseball, and basketball. Jerry supported most of the high school teams wherever he was living and followed his grandchildren's progress in their sports. Survivors include his loving wife of 23 years, Karen Wilberding and their new puppy Bailey. His sons: Steve (Dayna) Wilberding & their son Michael (Tiffany) Wilberding, Mark (Jinni) Wilberding & his sons Matt (Kasey) Wilberding & Ben (Janet) Wilberding, James (Julie) Wilberding and their children Tyler, Logan, and Lexie Wilberding and his daughter Mary (Greg) Gruel and their children Sarah, Hunter, and Molly Gruel. Stepchildren Brenda (Mike) Lydon their daughter Nicole, Scott (Lynnae) Stelzer and sons Cameron, Jordan, and Logan. Diania (Jerry) Bottomley and their sons Josh (Angie) Bottomley and Justin Merkes, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His sister Jane Ann Gundlach and sisters-in-law Shirley Wilberding and Pat Wilberding. Jerome was preceded in death by his parents, his second wife Verna Wilberding, mother of his children Kay Beinborn, brothers; Byrne "Bing" Wilberding, Kenneth (Annabel) Wilberding and David Wilberding, sister June (Mickey) Schmitz; and his first granddaughter Jami Lynn Wilberding. Jerome will be fondly remembered for his smiles, laughter, jokes and as "Grandpa Dude".