Obituary

Surrounded by his loving family, Richard Wilberg, 96, of Urbandale entered into eternal life on September 20, 2025. He was born the last of five children to Hans and Minnie Wilberg in Algona, Iowa, the first in his family to be born in a hospital. He spent a happy childhood in Ringsted, where he graduated from high school in 1947 as co-valedictorian. Following high school Dick studied engineering, trained to be an auto mechanic, and held various local jobs. He served in the United States Air Force from 1950-1954 as an aircraft radio mechanic and was honorably discharged. Dick was able to repair almost anything. He was a lifelong learner, inventor, and world-class problem solver.

After his military service, Dick returned to his lineman job at the phone company. This would be the start of a 35-year career with Northwestern Bell (US West) that would ultimately bring him to the Des Moines office. In 1986 Dick accepted an early retirement package from the company. He worked in the Traffic Engineering Department at the time he retired.

In 1955, he met the love of his life, Joani, by chance at the Roof Garden Ballroom, at Arnolds Park in Okoboji. Dick asked her to dance, which led to a life together filled with love and laughter. They married in 1956 in a small ceremony in Rock Valley. He and Joani started their marriage living in Spencer, Algona, and then Urbandale, where they raised their two daughters. Dick was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle. He enjoyed countless hours helping Joani babysit and entertain their grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. No matter the time of day or night, Dick would drop whatever he was doing and come help if you needed him. His family could count on him to fix anything — whether it was repairing a car, rewiring a house, repairing an appliance, or fixing a broken toy.

Dick and Joani were longtime members of Windsor Heights Lutheran Church, where Dick has been described as a faithful servant. He found many ways to use his multitude of talents quietly repairing things and helping anywhere he could. He and Joani spent countless hours helping the church sponsor refugee families from Vietnam and Africa.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Hans and Minnie; three sisters, Patricia Wilberg, Margery (William Erle) Reid, Mary (James) Peterson, and a brother, Harvey Norman (Margaret) Wilberg.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 69 years, Joani; daughters Gretchen (Phil) Gionet and Karen (Mike) Raney; grandchildren Jessica (Pat) Conway, Jacob (Katie) Gionet, Anna Raney, and Sara Raney; great-grandchildren Carter Conway, Elena Gionet, Noah Conway, Sophia Gionet, Madeleine Conway, and Vivian Gionet; great-niece Maren (Scott) Steensen as well as many other nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. followed by a funeral service at noon, Monday, October 6, at Windsor Heights Lutheran Church, 1240 66th Street, Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324. A lunch will be served in parish hall following the service. A private graveside service at the Blakjer Lutheran Church cemetery in Seneca will be at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to Windsor Heights Lutheran Church.


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