Al Wernimont

Aldon "Al" Mark Wernimont, son of Wilfred and Virginia (Steinkamp) Wernimont, was born on December 23, 1953, in Corning, Iowa. After an almost 4 year battle with pancreatic cancer, Al passed away on November 6, 2011, at the Cass County Hospice Center surrounded by his wife and children. Al was 57 years old.

Al grew up in rural Cumberland where he attended grade school in Grant and Cumberland. In 1970, his family moved to Atlantic, and Al attended Atlantic High School, graduating in 1972. While at AHS, Al received much joy from being a member of the football, wrestling and track teams. He won many local and state awards and recognitions in football and wrestling. Al went on to attend the University of Northern Iowa under a football scholarship. His love for farming brought him back to the land after one year at UNI.

On July 29, 1978, Al was united in marriage to the love of his life, Kristi Ann Hensley, in the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic. Al and Kris spent their entire married life south of Atlantic, on the farm, raising their children. Al was a dedicated family man; decisions in his life were guided by his faith and love for his wife and children. He was also a respected farmer and steward of the land.

Al was an active member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church and volunteered his time on the finance and trustee committees. Al was a founding member of the Atlantic Junior Sports Association, encouraging the success of the youth padded football program. He volunteered at AHS athletic functions, particularly the detailed set up of the hurdle events.

Al always looked forward to the summer breaks taking his family to the mountains of Colorado. He also had many memorable moments with his brothers and sisters at Lake of the Ozarks. Every morning, Al could be found drinking coffee in his chair next to Kris before heading to the farm. He was passionate about farming and specifically enjoyed calving season, as it was a time for "new life." Al also received much joy from playing cards with "the guys," attending his children's events, and fishing and watching his beloved Bears with Bryce. He was also looking forward to becoming a grandpa in March.

In the spring of 2008, the community gave an outpouring of emotional and financial support to Al and his family at the event known as the Wernimont Rally. This gave Al the much needed emotional lift to move through these past years of treatment with hope. During his time of treatment and doctor visits at various hospitals, Al would often escape to the healing garden for quiet and calmness. Last year, the family chose to give the financial support back to the community for the creation of a healing garden, which will be incorporated into the new addition and renovations on the Cass County Health System campus. Al's intention is the garden will be for the community what the Wernimont Rally was for him: a physical reminder of hope for all of us, as we are a community of support to one another, and we are never alone. Memorials will be given to CCHS for the development of the Healing Garden.

He was preceded in death by his son, Weston Wernimont; father, Wilfred Wernimont; brother, Craig Wernimont; and father and mother-in-law, Bill and Charlotte Hensley.

He is survived by his wife, Kris of Atlantic; four children, Maggie Muller (Kelly) of Griswold, Sarah Wernimont of Omaha, Anna Wernimont, a sophomore at Loras College in Dubuque and Bryce Wernimont, a junior at Atlantic High School; his mother, Virginia Wernimont of Atlantic; one brother, Dan Wernimont (Leah) of Pocahontas; three sisters, Carol Kramper (Ralph) of Omaha, Sharon Becker (Jeff) of Ames and Shele Blum (Scott) of Ames; three brothers-in-law, Kerry Hensley (Patti) of Massena, Tony Hensley of Massena and Andy Hensley (Jana) of Carson; two sisters-in-law, Deb Sova (Ron) of Omaha and Tracy Daugherty (Dan) of Massena; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family of Al wishes to express their gratitude for all acts of kindness shown to them during Al's cancer fight and in this time of sorrow. Please join the family for a luncheon at the church parish center following services at the cemetery.

A prayer service will be held at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, November 10, 2011, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church with visitation following from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. also at the church.


A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 11, 2011, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, Iowa. Interment will be in the SS Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery in Atlantic.