Hello,
I translated the info from Gerold Bueschen and Werner Honkomp below into
English in Google Translate. I translated my response into German below. I
hope it makes sense to you.
I am from New Vienna and was interested in the name as there are still
Willenborgs in the New Vienna/Petersburg area and in Dyersville, IA.
Dyersville is about 4 miles south of New Vienna and Petersburg is about 4 miles
west of New Vienna. I don't know if any of these families are connected to
the family you are researching.
There is some information on one of the Willenborg families published in
the book, Roots & Wings Memories and Stories of the New Vienna Area by the
New Vienna Historical Society 2008.
"Laverne Willenborg was born to George and Frances Noethe Willenborg, in
Petersburg, Iowa, on July 12, 1924. He grew up on a farm northwest of
Petersburg...." He had two brothers Fred and Gilbert.
Is it possible that George is the son or grandson of your Herbert
Willenborg?
There is another article by Carol Ann Vaske Willenborg. She reminisces
about the Vaske family. She married Dennis Willenborg from Petersburg.
In another book, Unity in Community, published in 1995 by Bob Mescher and
Toby Bockenstedt, there is some information on Willenborg families. There
are a Bernard and a Frank Willenborg listed as heads of families in an
article written by Rev. F. W. Pape, published in the 1906 Atlas of Dubuque
County. I think this is the Frank Willenborg (born 29 Jan 1879 in New Vienna,
died 2 Nov 1939) who married my great Aunt Mary Mescher in 1906. He farmed
in New Vienna and later was manager of the Farmers' Shipping Association
of Dyersville.
There are also three Sisters listed in the book who joined the St. Rose
Convent in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. It doesn't give the dates (most likely after
1900) but their names were Louise Willenborg (Sister Mary Clarinda), Fre
derika Willenborg (Sister Mary Francella), and Monica Willenborg (Sister Mary
Francita).
I may be able to give you some contact information if you contact me
privately.
Thank you.
Kathy Mescher Casey