Delphinus “Del” Remigius Buchheit died on October 11, 2025, at the age of eighty-eight from Alzheimer’s disease. He was born on September 26, 1937, on a small family farm near Festina, Iowa, the son of Florian and Fredia (Heying) Buchheit.

After spending his youth on the farm, he attended St. Lawrence Seminary High School in Mount Calvary, Wisconsin. He then attended Loras Academy and College in Dubuque, Iowa, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Del had four children from his first marriage to Charlene (Meyer) Noel: Kathy Perry of Phoenix, AZ, Linda (Clark) Glover, of South Bend, IN, Mike (Kim) Buchheit of Phoenix, AZ, and Steve (Lee Ann) Buchheit of Dubuque, IA.

After college, he began his career as a teacher in Monona, Iowa, before relocating to Dubuque, where he launched a successful career as a State Farm agent in 1960. He retired in 2005 when his son Steve took over the agency.

Del was a loving and patient husband and father, an avid golfer, a bowler in his day, an accomplished gardener, a charter member of Thunder Hills Golf & Country Club, and a dedicated community member. He was quick with a joke and a helping hand, and a passionate fan of the Cubs, Packers, Hawkeyes, and Wahlert Golden Eagles.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn (Klotz) Buchheit; children Kathy, Linda, Mike and Steve; stepdaughters Kimberly Sufi (Peosta, Iowa) and Reverend Lynn (Tim) Thiede (Lost Nation, Iowa); ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; a brother, Joe (Linda) Buchheit, of Dubuque, Iowa; and sisters Toni Strey of Avondale, PA, Pat (Bob) Eldan of Lander, WY, Betty Topf, of Milwaukee, WI, and Jeanne (George) Lucero, of Socorro, NM.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Pam; and four brothers Sonny, Ambrose, Kelly, and Harold.

Visitation for Del will be held from 3 to 7 p.m., on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Peosta, Iowa.  Visitation will also be held after 9 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian burial for Del will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at Holy Family Catholic Church in New Melleray -Peosta, Iowa with Msgr. Thomas Toale Presiding.  Burial will be held in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Key West, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Dubuque and Luther Manor on Hillcrest. They extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff of both organizations for their dedication to Del and his care.

A video tribute may be viewed and online condolences left for the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com.