Eugene “Gene” A. Motsch, 95, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Thursday July 4, 2024, at 3:35 a.m., surrounded by family.

Friends and family may visit from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday July 15, 2024, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road.

A Funeral Service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday with Deacon David Roth officiating along with military honors by the Dubuque Marine Corps League. Inurnment will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery with his daughter Deb at a later date.

Gene was born on January 17, 1929, near Sherrill, son of Martin and Frances (Kriescher) Motsch. He was united in marriage to Ruth Dieters on May 1, 1954, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. They shared 70 wonderful years together and were blessed with four children: Vern, Dave, Deb, and Virge.

Gene proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps from September 1951 to September 1953 during the Korean Conflict as a Tank Driver. He was especially honored to be a part of the Honor Flight trip to Washington D.C. on September 24, 2012.

He retired from the Dubuque Packing Company after 38 years. Gene had a quiet nature and was a hard worker who could fix almost anything. He was so proud of the ’66 Toronado he restored and roll top desk he made, along with building our home in his “spare” time.

Gene was a long-time member of Holy Ghost Church, All Star Country Dance Club, Tri State Boot Scooter Dance Club, and Local 150 (Pack Union). He was also on the Salvation Army Senior Center Board of Directors where he spent a lot of time teaching country dancing, playing dominos, attending parties and potlucks, and making many friends.

Some of his favorite things were country dancing until he was 86 years “young”, country music, dominos, gardening, flowers, feeding the birds, woodworking, reading his woodworking magazines, reading the newspaper front to finish, and gathering and cracking walnuts. He loved traveling and visited all 50 states.

Gene is survived by his wife Ruth, children Vern Motsch of Dubuque, Dave Motsch of Sagle, Idaho, and Virge (Mike) Engling of Dubuque, grandchildren Sheila, Andy, Emily, and Carissa, step-grandchildren Trevor and Will, great grandchildren Haley, Trystin, Taiya, Rowan, Myla, Sophia, and Maximus, brother Ernie Motsch, brothers-in-law Dale (Carol) Dieters and Gene Weidenbacher, sister-in-law Mary Dieters, Trudy (Deb’s beloved kitty we “adopted”), as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Deb on February 10, 2022, twin grandsons Jason and Josh in September of 1994, brother Herman (Ginny) Motsch, sister Mary (Arky) Hanson (’14), brothers-in-law Ken (’05), Cliff (’06), Maynard (’18), and Merle (’48), and sisters-in-law Eilene Weidenbacher (’06) and Edith Dieters.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Hospice of Dubuque, especially Chris, Amy, Jessica, and Connie, Stonehill Communities staff, and Dr. Sara Loetscher for all the compassionate care and help given on Gene’s journey to the Lord. Also thank you to his granddaughter Sheila for the special care and attention shown to her grandpa and giving him three rides in his Toronado while at Stonehill.

In lieu of flowers, a Eugene “Gene” A. Motsch Memorial Fund has been established.