John Zweibahmer, 53

July 28, 1968 —

Oct. 22, 2021

 

OSSIAN - John Ralph Zweibahmer, age 53 of Ossian, Iowa, died at Gundersen Health System in LaCrosse, Wis. on Oct. 22, 2021 from complications due to COVID.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, with Rev. Robert Gross as the celebrant. Burial followed at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery in Ossian. 

Karl and Jean (Holtey) Zweibahmer’s “Little Johnny” was born on July 28, 1968 and grew up on a farm outside of Ossian and went to DeSales Catholic School through the eighth grade. He then graduated from South Winneshiek High School in 1986. 

After high school, he attended Hawkeye Tech for Ag Business. There he won a couple of national awards — Postsecondary Agricultural Student, Ag Chemicals and Fertilizer. 

When completing tech school, he moved into an Oskaloosa, Iowa home with his high school honey, Teresa. These love birds tied the knot Aug. 7, 1989. He worked at Agriland FS Co-op for a couple of years until the couple and first-born, Michael, settled back home in northeast Iowa. There he farmed and worked at Featherlite, CGB Grain and ViaField. His favorite employer, though was Teresa, when he got to stay home for her and take care of their kids. He would reminisce, stating those were his most rewarding years. 

Some of his most accomplished and fulfilling years were those spent with the Knights of Columbus. He had a passion for living and enlightening the principles of charity, unity and fraternity. He joined the K of C in 2008, not actualizing the extent of how much this organization was going to affect his life. John served as Grand Knight for Ossian Council 2073. He held many other titles within the program — District Deputy, Executive Board Member, State Warden and State Membership Director. As the State Membership Director, he was awarded the highest degree, Circle of Honor in 2018 and 2019, which he was very honored to achieve. Within the church, he also served as a fourth-degree member, Faithful Navigator of Davis Assembly 271 and Eucharistic Minister. 

“Big John,” as some called him, enjoyed tinkering and spending time outdoors — hunting, fishing on his boat and gardening. He also liked drinking Peach Crown, playing games, popcorn and strumming Johnny Cash on his guitar, not necessarily in that order. He hated maid rites, being late and a bad Iowa Hawkeyes football game, not necessarily in that order. He was a good story-teller — 80% of it was true, the rest was up to your interpretation. In 2017, one day shy of his birthday, he gained his newest title, “Papa John.” Some of his biggest smiles were when he was with his grandchildren.

If you’re about to throw away a pair of holy socks, stop. You can rotate those bad boys and get more use out of them. Don’t you dare go to church in jeans or spend your money on jeans with holes. Never throw scrap wood or metal — you don’t know when you’ll need it for repairs. Heck, keep all of your scraps because you can and will find a use for every single thing. Take the time to teach and educate others — knowledge is privilege and should be shared with everyone. But most importantly, never lose sight of your faith, family and friends. These are some of the lessons those who knew him have learned from John in his 53 years of life.

His spirit is carried on through his wife, Teresa Zweibahmer of Ossian; children, Michael John Zweibahmer of Roland, Iowa, Ashley (Brian) Jestrab of Protivin, Iowa, Amanda (Luke) Benjegerdes of Waukon, Iowa and Andrea (Tyler) Lundtvedt of Palo, Iowa; four grandchildren, Mila, Kyson and Ava Jestrab and Gabriella Lundtvedt; mother, Jean Zweibahmer of Ossian; mother-in-law, LaVonne Koch of West Union, Iowa; his siblings, Jerry (Steph Wiltse) Zweibahmer of Fredericksburg, Iowa, Julie (Brian) Pecinovsky of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jason (Marilyn) Zweibahmer of Calmar, Iowa and Jaclyn (Michael) Wittenburg of Robins, Iowa; brothers-in-law, Dwane (Roni Sue) Koch, Rodney (Loretta) Koch, Brian Koch and Keith (Bobbie Jo) Koch; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

John was reunited with his father, Karl Zweibahmer ( Nov. 25, 2017); father-in-law, James Koch; paternal grandparents, Theodore and Lillie Zweibahmer; maternal grandparents, Ralph and Carmela Holtey; and his uncle and aunt, Larry and Sandy Rothmeyer.

Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Ossian assisted the family with arrangements.