Wayne E Lobberecht

He was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, son of Clarence and Evelyn Lobberecht. After graduating from Eddyville High School, Eddyville, Iowa, Wayne enlisted in the U.S. Army's 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, serving in Vietnam. During his deployment, he saw heavy combat, was involved in route security and search-and-destroy missions, including critical actions during the Tet Offensive with exposure to Agent Orange. Later, he was stationed in West Germany as the squadron patrolled the border along the Iron Curtain to defend the strategic Fulda Gap. He rose to the rank of SP5, E-5, earning numerous National Defense Service medals, sharpshooter citations, and campaign medals. After his discharge, he obtained power plant operator certification. He graduated from Southwestern Community College, Creston, Iowa, with a degree in business administration. He relocated to Houston, Texas, working in retail. Later, using his CDL, he worked for United Rentals in Jersey Village, Texas, earning numerous Safe Driving Awards transporting major construction equipment to Houston-area large-scale projects. He was a member of VFW Post 8905, Masonic Lodge, and League of Women Voters Cy-Fair. He attended many local county agency community engagement forums with his wife, focused on Cy-Fair area service improvement projects.

Wayne was united in marriage to Marlene Lewis in 1974 at the Albia Christian Church. They were blessed with one son, Jared. Wayne and Marlene enjoyed 52 years of marriage.

He is survived by his wife, Marlene Lobberecht; son, Jared; mother, Evelyn Lobberecht Fisher; siblings: Roy (Loy) Lobberecht, Saundra Lobberecht, Leanna Drummond, Roger (Shornrapar) Lobberecht; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Clarence, and his stepmother, Viola Lobberecht.

Memorials may be given in his memory to “Welcome Home Soldier Fund”, Monroe County Veterans Affairs, 1801 South B Street, Albia, IA 52531; Cy-Fair Educational Foundation, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD student scholarships, www.thecfef.org/donate/; or LWV Cy-Fair voter service, LWVTexas.org/cy-fair.

Brookside Funeral Home-Cypress Creek in Houston, Texas, is assisting the family with arrangements for interment at Houston National Cemetery. A graveside service will be announced.