Obituaries
Obituary for Walter "Wally" E. Holmberg Jr.
WALTER “WALLY” E. HOLMBERG JR., 91, of Bettendorf, IA, formerly of Prophetstown, IL, died Sunday, October 18, 2020, at The Fountains in Bettendorf.
A private family service will be held Friday, October 23, 2020, at the Bosma-Gibson Funeral Home in Prophetstown, IL, with Pastor Joey Garcea officiating. A private family visitation will precede the funeral service. A public graveside service will be held at 12:30 PM Friday, October 23, 2020, at Riverside Cemetery in Prophetstown. Memorials have been established to Prophetstown Lions Club and Prophetstown Park District.
Wally was born August 25, 1929, in Chicago, IL, to Walter E. and Leona (Palter) Holmberg. He was a graduate of Hyde Park High School and attended and played football at the University of Illinois and Idaho State, where he graduated with a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education Administration. Wally married Marlene Hansen on August 13, 1951, in Pocatello, ID. She died January 14, 2017. Wally and his wife came to Prophetstown while going to interviews and fell in love with the town and eventually moved there to start their life together. Wally taught Health, Science and Physical Education and also coached football, wrestling, and track. He later became the Principal in 1969 and served concurrently as the athletic director. He was instrumental in starting the golf and wrestling programs at the Prophetstown High School. While serving on the Park District Board, he was involved with building the pool in Prophetstown. Wally had a true love for The All Sports Banquet and worked tirelessly to bring in top notch speakers. He was very active in the Prophetstown Lions Club and was always on the crew to help with the Fourth of July fireworks display. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels delivering meals to those in need. He was a former member of the First Congregational Church in Prophetstown and most recently a member of the Prophetstown United Methodist Church. Wally was a member of the Prophet Hills Country Club where he enjoyed playing golf. He also loved playing tennis with his friends at Westwood. A favorite past time was watching the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, and Fighting Illini games and was an enthusiastic fan of all of them. Wally enjoyed boating, taking fishing trips to Canada and spending his winters in Texas. Wally cherished his children and grandchildren and enjoyed attending all their events. He also loved his students and athletes and enjoyed talking and sharing memories with them even after they were adults.
Survivors include one daughter, Cheri (Bruce) Rhodes of Cape Coral, FL; three sons, Scott Holmberg of Lyndon, IL; Walter E. Holmberg III of Prophetstown, IL; and Gene (Linda) Holmberg of Bettendorf, IA; five grandchildren, Katelyn and Kyle Rhodes; Kim (Chapman) Arter, Shannon Holmberg; Erika Holmberg; four great-grandchildren, Lilly Drake, Xander Whitton; Ethan and Maxwell Arter.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marlene; and one sister, Claryce Holmberg.
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A private family service will be held Friday, October 23, 2020, at the Bosma-Gibson Funeral Home in Prophetstown, IL, with Pastor Joey Garcea officiating. A private family visitation will precede the funeral service. A public graveside service will be held at 12:30 PM Friday, October 23, 2020, at Riverside Cemetery in Prophetstown. Memorials have been established to Prophetstown Lions Club and Prophetstown Park District.
Wally was born August 25, 1929, in Chicago, IL, to Walter E. and Leona (Palter) Holmberg. He was a graduate of Hyde Park High School and attended and played football at the University of Illinois and Idaho State, where he graduated with a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education Administration. Wally married Marlene Hansen on August 13, 1951, in Pocatello, ID. She died January 14, 2017. Wally and his wife came to Prophetstown while going to interviews and fell in love with the town and eventually moved there to start their life together. Wally taught Health, Science and Physical Education and also coached football, wrestling, and track. He later became the Principal in 1969 and served concurrently as the athletic director. He was instrumental in starting the golf and wrestling programs at the Prophetstown High School. While serving on the Park District Board, he was involved with building the pool in Prophetstown. Wally had a true love for The All Sports Banquet and worked tirelessly to bring in top notch speakers. He was very active in the Prophetstown Lions Club and was always on the crew to help with the Fourth of July fireworks display. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels delivering meals to those in need. He was a former member of the First Congregational Church in Prophetstown and most recently a member of the Prophetstown United Methodist Church. Wally was a member of the Prophet Hills Country Club where he enjoyed playing golf. He also loved playing tennis with his friends at Westwood. A favorite past time was watching the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, and Fighting Illini games and was an enthusiastic fan of all of them. Wally enjoyed boating, taking fishing trips to Canada and spending his winters in Texas. Wally cherished his children and grandchildren and enjoyed attending all their events. He also loved his students and athletes and enjoyed talking and sharing memories with them even after they were adults.
Survivors include one daughter, Cheri (Bruce) Rhodes of Cape Coral, FL; three sons, Scott Holmberg of Lyndon, IL; Walter E. Holmberg III of Prophetstown, IL; and Gene (Linda) Holmberg of Bettendorf, IA; five grandchildren, Katelyn and Kyle Rhodes; Kim (Chapman) Arter, Shannon Holmberg; Erika Holmberg; four great-grandchildren, Lilly Drake, Xander Whitton; Ethan and Maxwell Arter.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marlene; and one sister, Claryce Holmberg.
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Previous Events
Graveside
Friday
23
Oct
12:30 PM
Riverside Cemetery
300 E. 3rd Street
Prophetstown, IL 61277
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