Bernie Prybil, 80, of Iowa City, passed away Jan. 7, 2025, at Atrium Village in Hills. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lone Tree. Visitation will be held Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, from 2-5 p.m., at the Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services, Lone Tree. Interment will be held at Lone Tree Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bernie’s memory may be directed to the family to be designated later. Online condolences for the family may be sent to www.sandhfuneralservice.com.
Bernard Lee Prybil was born Nov. 5, 1944, in Iowa City, the son of Ralph and Lillian (Hotz) Prybil. Bernard was a 1962 graduate of Lone Tree High School where he played varsity football and was very active in FFA. In August of 1964, he was united in marriage to Rowena Pike in Nichols, Iowa.
He was a lifelong farmer, operating Rocking BerRo Farms and B&B Cattle in Johnson County. In 1972, he was awarded the Iowa City Jaycee’s Young Farmer of the Year. He was a Charter Member of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and long-time member of the Johnson County Cattlemen, having served on the board for many years, and was recognized as Cattlemen of the Year in 2006.
Bernie loved all sports, especially football. He was a part of the Lone Tree Football Chain Gang for over 30 years, was a board member of the Lone Tree Athletic Boosters and participated in the Wednesday and Sunday Night Lone Tree Volleyball leagues well into his 70’s. Additionally, playing Euchre and Yahtzee with family and friends was always a good time. Bernie loved his family dearly. He could always be found attending his children’s, and later grandchildren’s, activities and sporting events throughout high school and college, although he always remained a tried-and-true loyal Iowa Hawkeye fan. After his health began to fail in his later years, Bernie’s mantra was “it is what it is.”
Bernie is survived by his wife: Rowena of Iowa City; daughters: Lora (Mike) Sieverding, Tonya (Van) Seaman and Sonda (Brandy Walsh) Prybil; grandchildren: Lucas (fiancé Rayanne Bartley) Sieverding, Jake Sieverding, Elena (Cody) Blenden, Braden (Jordan) Lehman, Jenna (Tim) Mardesen, Alexa Lehman (friend David Schmid); step grandchildren: Emma (Ross) Reed, Hannah (Mark) Lewis and Zach Seaman; great-grandchildren: Jack and Carson; step great-grandchildren: Harrison and Miles; and sister: Joanne Reis.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and his brother: Eldon Prybil.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Keystone Memory Care, Atrium Village Care Center and Essence of Life Hospice, who were instrumental in Bernie’s end of life care.
