Joseph J. “Joe” Brimeyer, age 81, of Dubuque, passed away suddenly at 8:08 a.m., on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital.  To honor Joe’s life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, where there will be a parish scripture service held at 6:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, June 3, 2024, at Holy Spirit Parish, Holy Ghost Church, 2921 Central Avenue, with Rev. Jeffrey I. Frieden officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by the Dubuque Marine Corps League.

Joe was born on June 27, 1942, in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Joseph E. and Margaret C. (Abitz) Brimeyer.

Joe attended Sacred Heart Grade School, Loras Academy and was a member of the first graduating class of Wahlert Catholic High School in 1960.  He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1964, and honorably served his country in Germany until 1966.  On May 13, 2024, he was thrilled to go to Washington DC on the Honor Flight with his fellow veterans.  Joe was united in marriage to the love of his life, Mary K. Heber, on September 5, 1970, at Nativity Church.  He was employed with John Deere Dubuque Works for his entire career, retiring in 1999.  After retiring, Joe was excited to embark on his next adventure, babysitting his grandchildren for 15 years.  Joe was a long time member of Holy Ghost Church, where he served as an usher, and UAW Local 94.  He was a sports enthusiast, always cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Bears and White Sox.  Joe recently began watching Caitlyn Clark play basketball for the Iowa Hawkeyes and Indiana Fever.  He also enjoyed golfing and going bowling.  Joe loved his family and he will be missed tremendously.

Those left to cherish Joe’s memory include

his loving wife,
Mary K. Brimeyer, Dubuque, IA;

5 children,
Rose Klein, Dubuque, IA,
Joe (Maggi) Brimeyer, Fort Collins, CO,
Bill (Judy) Brimeyer, Seattle, WA,
Ted (Joanna) Brimeyer, Statesboro, GA
and Ellen Brimeyer, Dubuque, IA;

6 grandchildren,
Allison (Natalie Steuck) Klein, Sophia Klein, Jarrett Klein, Emma Klein, Joey Brimeyer and Bailey Brimeyer;

5 sisters,
Marie McCaffery, Dubuque, IA,
Carol Burchette, Dubuque, IA,
Sue (Virgil) Bockenstedt, Asbury, IA,
Jeanette (Dave) Bedtka, Lockport, IL
and Christine (Randy) Dempewolf, Dubuque, IA;

and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters, Margaret (Pat) O’Connell and Barb (Rich) Mueller; 2 brothers-in-law, Harold McCaffery and Ron Burchette; an uncle and aunt, Leo and LaVon Abitz; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Al and Mary Heber.

Joe’s family would like to thank Dr. Whalen and the entire staff at Tri-State Dialysis, Dr. Cao and Dr. Kahn for the outstanding care they have provided for Joe.

Greeting cards and memorials in Joe’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Joe Brimeyer Family.

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