Donald “Don” C. Zillig, age 84, of East Dubuque, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family after a brief illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday April 5, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 170 Montgomery Ave., East Dubuque. IL, with Fr. Edilberto Jarapa officiating. Visitation will precede the mass at the church from 9:00 -11:15 a.m. Interment will be in the East Dubuque Cemetery at a later date.

Don was born on October 3, 1940, son of Joseph and Alvera (Fluhr) Zillig. He attended grade school at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Dubuque. He was a proud graduate of the 1958 Class of Loras Academy.
He married Karen (Kay) Oliver on December 31, 1960, at St. Mary’s Church, East Dubuque.

Don was a salesman for the Dubuque Packing Company, FDL Marketing, and Hormel Foods before retiring in 2007. His career took him to the Des Moines area from 1985-2007 where he and Kay made many good friends. Upon retirement, they returned to East Dubuque and resided at their retirement home at Frentress Lake on the Mississippi River.

He was a senior member of the Jo Daviess County Board representing Dunleith Township Precinct No. 2 for 15 years. He thoroughly enjoyed the friendships and accomplishments made while he was on the board.

Don had a great sense of humor and created a home full of love and laughter. Don enjoyed spending time with his family and friends on the river, fishing, pheasant hunting, and golfing with his family members and friends at Lacoma Golf Club. He also enjoyed the weekly Wednesday gatherings of his high school buddies at Jumpers Sports Bar & Grill to eat and play Euchre.

Surviving Don are his wife of 64 years, Karen (Kay) Zillig; a son, Dan Zillig and his children Luke and Rachel Zillig, of Woodbury, MN; a daughter, Deb (Jerry) Bruns of Waukee, IA and their children Zach (Dani) Bruns of Ankeny, IA; Chelsey Bruns of West St. Paul, MN; and Ike (Emily) Bruns of Des Moines, IA; great-granddaughters, Perri Bruns and Margot Bruns; sister-in-law Jean Noonan of Dubuque; and sister in-law Carol (Wesley) Boal of Dubuque, IA; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, and his 5 older siblings, June (Leighton) Noonan, Richard “Rich” (Jean) Zillig, Charles “Chuck” (Nancy) Zillig, Joyce (Bob) MacFarlane, and John “Jack” (Barb) Zillig. And his in-laws Donald & Cecilia Oliver, Donald “Ollie” (Gerry) Oliver and Anne Meeks.

The family extends a special thank you to Hospice of Dubuque, especially Diane, Morgan, Melanie & Stephanie, for all the help, support and guidance they offered.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Dubuque and the East Dubuque District Library.

Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home & Crematory, 2659 John F. Kennedy Road, Dubuque, IA 52002 is assisting the family.