Willard Bieber

Willard L. Bieber, 80, of Waukon died Thursday, August 15, 2019 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Monday, August 19 at Zion United Church of Christ (UCC) in Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Inurnment was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Memorials can be made to the Allamakee Music Boosters or to Alzheimer’s research at www.alz.org.

Willard Louis Bieber was born March 19, 1939 in Waukon, the son of Peter William, Sr. and Luella Elizabeth (Leppert) Bieber. He was baptized at Zion United Church of Christ and confirmed at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, both in Waukon. After graduating from Waukon High School in 1957, Will enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served as a lab technician and was stationed in Germany. After being discharged, Will returned home to Waukon to farm with family.

One night at the bowling alley, Will met Marsha Lynn Moen and the two continued to run into each other while out horse riding. The couple married June 12, 1971 at Zion United Church of Christ and farmed together, raising hogs and registered Angus cattle. They also continued keeping horses and Will liked hitching the hackney ponies to a cart or his horse to a surrey and taking the kids for rides. He also enjoyed riding his four-wheeler around the farm and doing carpentry work as needed.

Music was a big part of Will’s life and he was known to have perfect pitch. As a member of Zion UCC and a past member of St. Paul’s Methodist, Will was an integral part of their choirs. He belonged to the Little Switzerland of Iowa Harmonizers barbershoppers, as well as a quartet with his brother, Jim, that participated in several musicals over the years. Will passed his love of music down to his children and grandchildren and loved listening to them sing, play piano and play their instruments. He and Marsha also liked square dancing and were a part of the Flutter Wheels Square Dance Club.

After selling their horses, Will bought a boat and often took his family out on the Mississippi. He always had a pet collie by his side and enjoyed his International tractors as well.

Will is survived by his three children: Brian of Waukon; Lisa (Erik) Hagen of Waterville and Jeff (Elisabeth) of Parkersburg; six grandchildren: Michael, Katherine, Hannah and Mark Hagen, and Elliot and Elise Bieber; his brother, Jim (Sue) Bieber of Waukon; his sisters-in-law: Joan Bieber of Waukon, Dianne Long of Decorah and Janice (Paul) Peterson of Pardeeville, WI; his brother-in-law, Dale Moen of Decatur, MI; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marsha, in November of 2018; two brothers, Peter (Lillian) Bieber, Jr. and Richard Bieber; a sister-in-law, Julie Bieber; and two nephews, Nathan and Daniel Bieber.

Honorary casketbearers were Elise and Elliot Bieber, Hannah, Katherine and Mark Hagen, and Will’s nieces and nephews. Casketbearers were Brian, Jeff and Elisabeth Bieber, and Lisa, Erik and Michael Hagen.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.