KEOTA – Wilbert Nicholas Adam, 96, of Keota, Iowa died Friday, April 24, 2015 of Lewy Body Dementia at Keota Health Care Center (formerly Maplewood Manor) where he had resided since January, 2014. Visitation will be at Powell Funeral Home in Keota on Monday, April 27th from 4pm – 8pm, with the Knights of Columbus rosary at 4pm. Mass of Christian burial will take place Tuesday, April 28th 10:30am at Holy Trinity Parish – St. Mary Catholic Church in Keota, with Father Charles Fladung and Fr. Rich Adam presiding. Internment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Keota.
Wilbert was born near Keota on July 26, 1918 to Albert Nicholas and Theresa Kramer Adam. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and began farming at an early age, due to his father’s ill health. When his parents retired to Washington in 1942, Wilbert purchased their family farm where he lived until 1970, at which time he moved his family to the home he built in Keota, while continuing to farm. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s/Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Keota and a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He served several terms as president of the local Lion’s Club.
Wilbert enjoyed singing, praying, laughing and visiting with friends and family, reminiscing, playing 500, and classical music. He was a voracious reader and encouraged all his children to finish college. When that was accomplished, he took joy in seeing the grandchildren continue on the same path.
On November 17, 1948 Wilbert married Bernadette Leinen at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Harper. He is survived by his wife and their six children: Louise Brinning of Keota, Janet (Terry) Sacora of Fairbanks, Alaska, Joe (Michele) Adam of Bettendorf, Tom (Mary Beth) Adam of Harper, Julie Adam of Riverside, and Steve (Cheryl) Adam of Wellman. Grandchildren are Angie Fritz (Cody and children Hannah and Abby), Jerry Brinning (fiance Samantha Fisher); Heather Sacora, Holly Sacora; Mike Adam (Brandi Miller and children Cheyenne and Brenden), Katie Adam, Nick Adam; Eric Adam, Ryan Adam, Emily Adam, Megan Adam; Joshua (Anece) Adam, Jared (Kelsey) Adam, Sara Adam, Brianna Adam, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, one brother Gerald, five sisters, Marcella Altenhofen, Orena Nelson, Theola Testroet, DeElda Hall, Dolores Griffin, son-in-law Tom Brinning, infant grand-daughter Melissa Adam.