Dennis S. Ball, age 83, of Dubuque, passed away at 8:17 p.m., on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at Stonehill Health Center.  To honor Dennis’ life, family and friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at St. Raphael Cathedral, 231 Bluff Street.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday at St. Raphael Cathedral, with Rev. Dennis Quint officiating.  Inurnment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.  Behr Funeral Home is assisting Dennis’ family.

Dennis was born on December 12, 1940, in Decorah, Iowa, son of Jay and Iyla R. (Casey) Ball.

Dennis attended Nativity Grade School and graduated from Loras Academy, Class of 1959.  After school he was employed as a milk man for Brookside Dairy.  When John Deere came to town he was fortunate to be hired by them and simultaneously worked the swing shift at the Dubuque Packing Company.  He retired from John Deere Dubuque Works after 33 years.  Dennis truly enjoyed his retirement to the fullest.  Dennis married his high school sweetheart, Judith Sands, on March 31, 1962, at St. Raphael Cathedral.  Dennis was a member of the Dubuque Boat Club where he was voted “Man of the Year” in 2020, and served as Commodore.  He also belonged to the Pistol Club.  He was always a very active member of his community who enjoyed volunteering with his friends and having a nice cold beer at the end of the day. Dennis had a zest for life.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, regaling stories, telling jokes, and just being with people.  A good time was always found when Dennis was around.  His family was very important to Dennis.  He never missed an activity his children participated in, and went to extremes to attend his grandchildren’s events.  Dennis was a good man who loved his family and maintained many life long friendships.  He never met a stranger and didn’t have a single enemy.  He was an outstanding husband, dad and grandpa who was always the life of the party.   Dennis will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.

Those left to cherish Dennis’ memory include

his loving wife of 62 years,
Judy Ball, Dubuque, IA;

his children,
Dennis (Sue) Ball, Dubuque, IA,
Amy (Russ) Rubie, Winona, MN
and Steve Ball, Dubuque, IA;

his grandchildren,
Abby, Logan, Alexia, Elizabeth, Zachary and Jordan;

his great-grandchildren,
Evalynn, Camden, Cashton and Audrey;

his sibings,
Iyla S. Ant, Dubuque, IA
and Jon Ball, Eldridge, IA;

a sister-in-law,
Mary Gwen Ball, Brainerd, MN;

4 brothers-in-law,
Paul (Anne) Sands, Bartlett, IL,
Bob (Janet) Sands, The Villages, FL,
Jim (Patti) Sands, Dubuque, IA
and Ron Kutsch, Dubuque, IA;

and many nieces and nephews.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Michael “Wally” Ball; a brother, Karl Ball; 2 sisters-in-law, Diane Ball and Janice Kutsch; and a brother-in-law, Gunnar Ant.

The family would like to thank all of the wonderful people who have cared for Dennis including the ER and ICU Staff of UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital, 3rd Floor at Stonehill and Hospice of Dubuque.  Also a special thanks to all of our family and friends for their love and support, we could not have made it through these past months without you.

The family will thankfully receive your support through greeting cards and memorials in Dennis’ memory which may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Dennis Ball Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com