Cornelius Wabeke

Cornelius Wabeke Jr., the son of Cornelius and Helen (Muilenburg) Wabeke, was born on July 23, 1935 in Pipestone, Minnesota In his youth, Connie was baptized and raised in the Methodist faith. He attended school in Pipestone until he was 9 and then his family moved to Sioux Center, Iowa. Connie continued his education in Sioux Center and graduated from high school in 1953. After high school, Connie attended Northwestern Jr. College in Orange City where he played football and met his future wife, Dolores. He later attended Buena Vista College and earned a bachelor’s degree. On April 7, 1958, Connie was united in marriage to Dolores Goeringer. The couple lived in Dundalk, Maryland where he was stationed in the U.S. Army. That fall they were transferred to Detroit, Michigan. While in the Army, Connie was in Military intelligence and served his country from October of 1957 until September of 1960. While working odd jobs after his service in the Army, Connie was hired by Gilbert Hill to be a loan officer at the First National Bank until his retirement in 1995. Throughout his time in Newell, Iowa, Connie was a huge supporter of Newell-Providence, Newell-Fonda schools, and their booster clubs through scholarships. He also served on numerous committees for the City of Newell which helped build the nursing home, city park, and pool. Connie always partook in the Homecoming Parade where he would throw out hundreds of popcorn balls. Connie was also active in his church, St. Peter Lutheran Church, through being a Lutheran Vicar, Elder, treasurer, Sunday school teacher, and superintendent. He was also a member of the Lions Club. While a Lutheran Vicar, Connie served congregations in need and performed weddings. In his free time, Connie like hunting, golfing, woodworking, locksmithing, and watching NCIS. Those left to cherish his memory include: two children, Cordell (Marcia) Wabeke of Ankeny, Iowa and Wendy (Michael) Dawson of Springfield, Missouri; grandchildren: Abby and Cameron Wabeke; Emma, Jack, and Christian Dawson; brother, Gerrit Wabeke; and many relatives and friends. Connie was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dolores; brothers: Arie, Jake, Frank, John, and Cap Wabeke; and sister, Christina Pike.