William George Vaske
May 25, 1941 — April 26, 2021
William George Vaske was born May 25, 1941 in Bancroft, Iowa the son of Marvin and Agnes (Fangman) Vaske.
He was raised in Bancroft, Iowa graduating from St. John’s Catholic High School. Following high school, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1963. Bill then continued his education at Iowa Lakes Community College. On February 6, 1965 Bill was united in marriage to Bonita Louise Spear at St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church in Algona, Iowa. The couple lived in Algona, Iowa, Burt, Iowa, St Louis, Missouri and Lone Rock, Iowa before moving to Knoxville, Iowa in 1977. Bill worked for Maytag until his retirement in 2003.
Being a very mechanical person, Bill could fix or build just about anything and he loved wood working. He also enjoyed fishing, golfing, playing cards and his grandkids activities. He and Bonnie loved polka dancing and touring in their 1915 Buick.
He was a devout and active member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Knoxville and was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. He was also a member of the American Legion.
Bill passed away Monday, April 26, 2021 at his home, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 79 years.
In addition to his parents, Marvin and Agnes, Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Jo Tigges; brother, Donald Vaske; in-laws, William and Alice Spear; son-in-law, David Rees and nephew, Alan Tigges.
Those left to cherish Bill’s memory include his wife, Bonnie; children: Michelle (Dirk) Lensing of Forest City, Iowa, Theresa (Tim) Pinkerton of Pleasantville, Iowa, Brenda (Keith) Davis, Donald (Mary) Vaske, Sheila Rees and Michael (Amber) Vaske; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; siblings: Eileen (Jim) Kadow of Bancroft, Iowa, Al (Kathy) Vaske of Lakewood, Colorado, Ray (Kathy) Vaske of New Braunfels, Texas, Nancy Vaske of Chicago, Illinois, Gene (Elise) Vaske of Whittemore, Iowa, Tony (Linda) Vaske of Schertz, Texas and Joyce (Dale) Schiltz of Bancroft, Iowa and many other family members and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial for William “Bill” Vaske, age 79 of Knoxville, will be held Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in Graceland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at St. Anthony Catholic Church where a Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church or to the American Cancer Society.
He was raised in Bancroft, Iowa graduating from St. John’s Catholic High School. Following high school, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1963. Bill then continued his education at Iowa Lakes Community College. On February 6, 1965 Bill was united in marriage to Bonita Louise Spear at St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church in Algona, Iowa. The couple lived in Algona, Iowa, Burt, Iowa, St Louis, Missouri and Lone Rock, Iowa before moving to Knoxville, Iowa in 1977. Bill worked for Maytag until his retirement in 2003.
Being a very mechanical person, Bill could fix or build just about anything and he loved wood working. He also enjoyed fishing, golfing, playing cards and his grandkids activities. He and Bonnie loved polka dancing and touring in their 1915 Buick.
He was a devout and active member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Knoxville and was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. He was also a member of the American Legion.
Bill passed away Monday, April 26, 2021 at his home, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 79 years.
In addition to his parents, Marvin and Agnes, Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Jo Tigges; brother, Donald Vaske; in-laws, William and Alice Spear; son-in-law, David Rees and nephew, Alan Tigges.
Those left to cherish Bill’s memory include his wife, Bonnie; children: Michelle (Dirk) Lensing of Forest City, Iowa, Theresa (Tim) Pinkerton of Pleasantville, Iowa, Brenda (Keith) Davis, Donald (Mary) Vaske, Sheila Rees and Michael (Amber) Vaske; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; siblings: Eileen (Jim) Kadow of Bancroft, Iowa, Al (Kathy) Vaske of Lakewood, Colorado, Ray (Kathy) Vaske of New Braunfels, Texas, Nancy Vaske of Chicago, Illinois, Gene (Elise) Vaske of Whittemore, Iowa, Tony (Linda) Vaske of Schertz, Texas and Joyce (Dale) Schiltz of Bancroft, Iowa and many other family members and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial for William “Bill” Vaske, age 79 of Knoxville, will be held Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in Graceland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at St. Anthony Catholic Church where a Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church or to the American Cancer Society.
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