John W. Vonderhaar, 84, of New Vienna, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

Visitation for John will be held from Noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa where a prayer service will be held at 12 p.m. and the Dyersville American Legion services will be held at 6 p.m.  Visitation will also be held after 9:30 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial for John will be held at 11:00 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna, Iowa with Rev. Philip Agyei presiding.  Burial will follow in St. Boniface Cemetery with full military honors afforded by the Dyersville American Legion Post #137.

John was born on October 24, 1940 at his family home in New Vienna, Iowa, son of Albin and Agnes (Schwers) Vonderhaar.  He received his education from St. Boniface Catholic School in New Vienna, Iowa.  On November 14, 1961, he was united in marriage to Judith Lucas at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Holy Cross, Iowa.  Together the couple farmed on the family farm in the rural New Vienna area. This farm has been in the family since 1847 and has been recognized as a Century and Heritage Farm.  It was on this farm where the couple raised their three children along with fostering over 40 boys.

He was a member of the St. Boniface Parish in New Vienna, Iowa.  John was a veteran having served in the United States Army.  He was a member of the Dyersville American Legion Post #137.  He was also a founding member of the Tri-County Sportsmens and the New Vienna area Historical Society.

Those left to cherish John’s memory are his wife of 63 years, Judy Vonderhaar of New Vienna; three children, Bill (Shirley) Vonderhaar of New Vienna, Susan (Travis) Meadows of Valparaiso, IN, and Mike (Shirley) Vonderhaar, Beloit, WI; 8 grandchildren, Johnathan, Sabrina, and Samuel Vonderhaar, Andrew and Lucas Vonderhaar;  Osman Alibasic (Sondra Bennett) of Dubuque, IA; Milisa (Pat) Torrance of Dyersville, IA;  Jacob, Rebecca, and Taylor Close ; Tanner Meadows; Nancy (Doug) Hoefler of New Vienna, IA; Rebecca (Korey) Stockman; Chase Miller; one brother, Francis (Elaine) Vonderhaar of New Vienna; brothers and sisters-in-law, Tom (Ruth) Lucas of Dyersville, Mark (Jen Stansberry) Lucas of Coralville, John (Bev) Lucas of Sherrill, Joe (Michele) Lucas of Lake St. Louis, MO, Dan (Angie Phillips) Lucas of Minneapolis, MN, Carrie Schmitt of Richardsville, Connie (Leon) Jaeger of Dubuque and Barb Lucas of Iowa City; step brothers and sisters-in-law, Al (Jeanne) Kluesner of Dubuque, Peter (Karen) Kluesner of New Vienna, Duane (Mae) Kluesner of Holy Cross, and Chuck (Donna) Kluesner of Peosta; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; grandson Dillon Bond, Scott Close; one brother, Leonard (Margaret) Vonderhaar; two sisters, Theresa (Jim) Elgin, and Rita (Mel) Schuster; father and mother-in-law, Lawrence and Dolores (Meinen) Lucas; step mother-in-law, Dorothy (Englin) Kluesner-Lucas; brother-in-law, Mike Schmitt; step sister-in-law, Cathy Kluesner; step sister-in-law Jean Kluesner; three nephews, James, Randy, and Steve Vonderhaar; and one niece, Debra Burkart.

A Video Tribute may be viewed, and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com