Jerome J. Jaeger, 96, of Dubuque, died Sunday, April 21, 2024, at the Stonehill Care Center in Dubuque.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Jerome will be 10:30 am Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Holy Spirit Parish – Holy Ghost Catholic Church with Father Steve Garner as the Celebrant. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque. Full military honors will be rendered by American Legion Post #6 and the Iowa Army National Guard.

Jerome was born March 20, 1928, in Balltown, IA, the son of Anthony and Mildred (Link) Jaeger. On May 2, 1953, he married Donna Mae Hansen at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Dubuque.

Jerome was a U.S. Army Veteran, serving during the Korean War from February 8, 1951 until January 24, 1953. He was very proud to have been able to serve his country.

Jerome worked as a Supervisor at John Deere Dubuque Works for 36 years, retiring in 1982.

Jerome loved fishing, hunting, and gardening. His favorite past-time was sitting on his glider in the garage and waving to people as they passed by. Above all, Jerome was so very proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, they were the light of his life.

Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Donna Mae of Dubuque; three children, Steve (Barb) Jaeger of Dubuque; Jane Jaeger of Dubuque; and Mary Kay (Tom) Walsh, of Bettendorf, IA; five grandchildren, Michael (Laura) Walsh, Daniel (Kerry) Walsh, Sarah Walsh, Tony (Bridget) Jaeger, and Greg (Tabitha) Jaeger; nine great-grandchildren, Ruthie and Eddie Walsh, Blake, Kenley, Lane, Maggie, John, James, and Eva Jaeger; brothers-in-law, Richard Hansen, Eugene (Fay) Hansen, and Gary Summers.

Besides his parents, Jerome was preceded in death by four sisters, Iola (Anthony) Kerper, Mary Catherine Summers, Ruth (Larry) O’Toole, and Jean Ann (Mike) Steger.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

The family would like to extend a special Thank You to the nurses and staff at Stonehill and Hospice of Dubuque for their loving care.

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Jerome’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.