Alfred J. Timmerman passed away peacefully at home in Assisi Village in Dubuque, Iowa on Friday, October 1, 2021.

Visitation will be from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 John F. Kennedy Rd., Dubuque, where there will be a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 7, 2021, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 60 S. Algona St., where Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday. The family kindly requests all guests wear masks at the funeral home and church. Mass will be live-streamed on the Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home Facebook page. Rev. James Goerend will officiate, with Deacon John Stierman as homilist. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West, IA.

Al was born on April 20, 1927, the twelfth child of Leo H. and Rosa Berning Timmerman of Dickeyville, WI.

After graduating from St. Nazianz High School in St. Nazianz, WI and Loras College in 1948, Al worked for two years at Mound City Bank in Platteville, WI before cofounding Zephyr Aluminum Products in 1951, which he led until his retirement. On May 9,1953, he married the former Rose Eileen Check in Prairie du Chien, WI.

Growing up on a farm, Al learned the value of hard work and persistence at an early age. He used those lessons to build a successful business providing windows that are on scores of public, private and commercial buildings throughout Dubuque and the region. Al’s reputation as an ethical businessman earned him the respect of employees and customers alike, and his legacy continues in the business under the guidance of his sons and grandson.

As a boy, Al became a St. Louis Cardinals fan in a family of Cubs fans and remained a devoted lifelong fan. Al played a variety of sports as a young man but golf became his passion as an adult. He and Rose enjoyed playing in Dubuque in the summers and in warmer locales in the winters, eventually spending several months each winter on the Texas Gulf Coast where they made many friends among other “Winter Texans.” Al also enjoyed fishing, progressing from local tributaries to Minnesota lakes to remote Canadian spots accessible only by air or water. Al loved a good joke, relished the memories of well-played pranks, and was known to be a gentle tease to his dozens of nieces and nephews.

As Al was readying for retirement, he lost his sight. Unable to enjoy golf, he adapted to this change with remarkable grace. His player piano became the source of great joy as he accumulated hundreds of piano rolls, which he repaired and then played for family and friends, accompanying them in his strong, clear voice.  He continued to enjoy playing cards, especially when there was a wager involved, teaching his grandchildren to play poker and starting a weekly game at Assisi Village. Al was a longtime member of the 3rd and 4th degree Knights of Columbus, the Serra Club and St. Joseph the Worker parish.

In his final days, Al made certain that his family knew he loved them and was proud of each of them. His strong faith and daily praying of the rosary were a great comfort to him as he prepared to leave this world.

In addition to his wife Rose, Al is survived by their children Anne (Robert) Zielinski of Jenkintown, PA; Dr. Mark (Julianne Noonan) Timmerman of Merrimack, NH; David (Kim Murdock) Timmerman of Dubuque; Kurt (Katy Schroeder) Timmerman of Towanda, IL; Paul (Suzi Martin) Timmerman of Altadena, CA; and Bruce Timmerman (Jennifer Juba) of Dubuque.  Also surviving are grandchildren Abby (Jeffrey William) Brown, Alexander Zielinski, Andrea Zielinski, Laura Timmerman, Brian Timmerman, Sara (Aaron) Kellogg, Scott (Laura Davis) Timmerman, Megan (Jeffrey) Lackaff, and Joe (Arianna Dinelli) Timmerman, along with seven great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and in-laws Esther Stierman, Jean Check, and Ruth (Larry) French.

Al was predeceased by his siblings Neil (Viola and Elizabeth), Agnes (Bernard) Vaasen, Frances (Wilbur) Snyder, Vincent (Lillian), George (Irma and Molly), Cletus (Mary), Rita (Melvin) Jansen, Linus (Leila), Urban (Rosalyn), Joseph and Henry.

The family requests that donations in Al’s memory be made to Stonehill Franciscan Services or Hospice of Dubuque.