Edward R. “Ed” Gansemer, 81, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away on June 3rd, 2026, at Bethany Home.

Visitation will be on Monday, June 8th, 2026, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd with a wake service to be held at 2:45 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026, at the Church of the Nativity with Rev. Dwayne Thoman officiating and Rev. Matt McMorrow concelebrating. Burial with full military honors by the American Legion Post #6 and the United States Navy will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Ed was born on December 2, 1944, in Sherrill, Iowa, son of Adolph and Marie (Hefel) Gansemer. He grew up on a farm in Holy Cross, Iowa, and graduated from Leo High School in 1963. He enlisted and served in the Navy from 1964-1968 aboard the carrier ship, USS Hancock, where he trained to be an electrician. Returning home, he asked his brother to set him up with a date. Eight months after a successful blind date, he was united in marriage to Marianna “Ruth” Entringer on September 7, 1968. They shared 54 loving years together and were blessed with three daughters. She preceded him in death on September 17, 2022.

After the Navy, he worked at Keystone Gelatin Company before joining John Deere Dubuque Works in 1974 until his retirement in 2005. He loved going to work each day at John Deere because it “never felt like work”. Being a true problem solver, he enjoyed the variety of challenges he faced each day. One could be assured that each job was done right the first time.

He was a man who lived his core values of faith, family and freedom while giving his time and talent to others. His love of country was best exemplified by his active participation within his VFW community through the Color Guard, military detail, as well as golfing with disabled veterans. He lived his faith by his countless hours of service to Nativity to maintain and improve their buildings and grounds as well as serving at Mass, ushering and his daily morning prayer and Bible study groups.

Ed enjoyed spending time with family, especially if it was over a good meal with lively conversation. He connected with his grandchildren in many small but meaningful ways such as feeding the ducks, reading books, trips to Lowe’s, golfing, fishing, and watching his grandkids in sports, to let them know how important they were to him. His numerous nieces and nephews also have many happy memories of growing up with their “Uncle Eddie”. Family gatherings will definitely be a little quieter without Ed’s hearty laugh and storytelling.

Ed is survived by his daughters Sarah (Mark) Weber, Karen (Bob) McMorrow and Teresa (Dave) Reuter. Grandchildren: Nick, Jared, Mitch and Seth Weber; Catie (Joseph) Kemper, Ciara (Oliver) Severance, Moira (José) de Quiroz, Brigid, Deirdre, Bobby and Liam McMorrow; Cole and Luke Reuter. His greatgrandchildren: Rose, Esther, Dominic and baby (due in December) Kemper; Thérèse and Colette Severance; Benedict Alonso Quiroz. His sisters-in-law Dottisue Gansemer, Venita McLaughlin, and Rita Entringer.

Ed is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; his parents; siblings: Joan (Marv) Lukan, Matt Gansemer, Helen (Dan) Wolf and Rose Ann (Phillip “Bucky”) Breitbach; father and mother-in-law Anthony and Estella Entringer; brothers-in-law Leonard Entringer, Lester (Jean) Entringer, TJ McLaughlin; nephews Michael Wolf, Tony Entringer, Wally McLaughlin and niece Diane Aurit.

The Ed Gansemer family would like to thank Bethany Home and Hospice of Dubuque for their care and attention to Dad during his final days.