Wilbur Walfred Vanberg was born on July 7, 1921 in Red Wing, Minnesota The son of Walford and Sophie Vanberg. His father died when he was eight years old and his mother remarried and moved to Ellsworth, Wisconsin where he attended school. He worked as a farm hand for a number of years. He was united in marriage to Betty Benson and then to Betty Keetley and to this union four sons were born. He started working as a driver for Lawrence Trucking, a career that lasted into the 1990's. He drove over the road and then became a mechanic for them. His wife Betty preceded him in death and he was married to Leona Mae Thurlow on May 26, 1969. They moved to rural Amery in 1973. Wilbur enjoyed fishing when time allowed. He also enjoyed cutting wood for heating his home. He was an accomplished woodworker making many items for friends and family. Due to health issues he became a resident of Golden Age Manor where he died on Thursday, April 19, 2012. Besides his wife Betty his parents and brother Alvin preceded him in death. Left to mourn are his wife Leona; sons: Kenneth Vanberg, Mike (Karen) Vanberg, Scott (Denese) Vanberg and Steven Vanberg; brother Dale Vanberg; 8 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He also leaves a step daughter Geri Quirin and 3 step grandchildren, one step great grandchild as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, Wisconsin on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. with Deacon Bud Heiser officiating. There will be a visitation from 4 to 7 pm on Sunday and also the hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Amery Cemetery.