John Roy Viberg

John Roy Viberg
February 7, 1941 – January 17, 2022

It is with great sadness that the family of John Viberg announce his sudden passing, Monday, January 17th at the age of 80. John will be lovingly remembered by his wife Patty (Brannen), children Julie Bullard (Mike), Jim Viberg Wendell (Rhonda) and Jon Viberg. Grandchildren Kylee Stoltenberg (Sam), Katie & Shelby Bullard, Nate & Noah Viberg and Jaymie Wendell. Sisters Ellen Koshenina, Linda Gray and Brother James Viberg. His Cousin Richard Mahan, who called John every day. As well as the extended Brannen Family.

John was born and raised in Council Bluffs. He graduated from Abraham Lincoln high school in 1959. He was a 50’s kind of guy, white t-shirt & rolled up jeans, that easy rider kind of look. He was a lettermen in football and golf, but golf became his lifelong passion. He loved trying to beat his little brother Jim.

At 21, he enlisted in the Marines and was stationed in Pensacola, Florida. Pensacola was one of his favorite places, he move there with Patty in 1987. John bought a sailboat where he and Patty lived for 9 years. John was always the adventurer with Patty right by his side!

John & Patty returned to Iowa and bought an acreage north of Glenwood. Soon after, they were raising miniature donkeys (guess who brought all the miniature babies into this world in the middle of winter). After his next purchase, a Harley Davidson motorcycle, he convinced Patty into going to Sturgis with his in-laws and cousin by his side.

John loved to fly, at one point getting his private pilot’s license. At 74, with the help of his cousin Richard, John bought and moved an Ultalight plane from North Carolina back to Glenwood. During his first flight, he landed and he damaged a wing that his brother-in-law Frank helped duct tape and bungee cord back together. He flew a couple of more times before talking his Granddaughter Katie into filming what would be his last grand flight.

Camping would become John’s next adventure in life, as long as the Direct TV satellite dish in his RV worked. John and Patty spent time visiting many of Iowa’s campgrounds, joining in family gatherings as they traveled. John even talked Patty into driving their RV to Pensacola, where they would spent the winter months. Of course, Dog Rescue & Cat Bob were always in tow.

There was never an adventure too big for John, as long as Patty was by his side. There are few men throughout history who owned a sailboat, a motorcycle, a pack of donkeys and an Ultralight plane. There are even fewer men throughout history who had a wife like Patty, who would happily join in whatever grand adventure John envisioned next.

Fly high John, fly high.

Family & Friends Visitation will be held Saturday, January 22nd from 2pm to 4pm. Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home 1221 N. 16th St, Council Bluffs.

The family suggest donations to Hooves & Paws Rescue of the Heartland, 27821 US Highway 34, Glenwood, IA 51534.