Leo G. Walech, 87, of Dubuque passed away peacefully Monday, May 20, 2024, surrounded by family.   Visitation will be from 4 to 6 pm Tuesday at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Road where there will be a parish wake service at 6:00 pm.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Wednesday at the Church of the Resurrection, followed by burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery where military rites will be accorded.

Leo was born November 24, 1936 in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Victor and Helen (Berwick) Walech. Leo was the only boy of the family and grew up surrounded by his sisters who he loved dearly.  As a young man, Leo attended St. Anthony’s Elementary School, and graduated from Loras Academy with the “illustrious” Class of 1955.  A few years after graduation Leo served in the US Army 1959- 1965.  From 1959-1961 he served as a medic in the 95th Medical Company, stationed in Germany. Following his military service, Leo returned to Dubuque, and followed in the footsteps of his father working at Caradco, before working at the Dubuque Packing Company for 40 years as part of the “smokehouse gang”.

Leo met the love of his life, Mary Jeanne Reilly and they were united in marriage at the Church of Nativity on October 21, 1972, and purchased their home on Hansel Dr.  Leo’s most important title, Dad, came as he and Mary Jeanne welcomed their three children Kathleen, Elizabeth and Jon, creating a very tight knit family.

In addition to his roles as husband and father, Leo was a very devoted son, brother, uncle and grandfather.  Family was extremely important to Leo, he became the favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews, and he had a unique nickname for all. Although he didn’t have any official hobbies, he loved watching the Chicago Cubs and participating in any activity that involved family and friends, especially attending Jon’s football games as his biggest fan.  Leo’s favorite thing was enjoying a great “bull session” over a cup of coffee, especially with the guys in his “FOG” group.

Leo was thrilled to become a grandpa, and his grandsons, Victor and Nicholas, were a source of amazing pride.  You couldn’t visit Leo without hearing about Vic and Nic.  Leo also loved dogs and his best buddy was his “grand dog” Wrigley.  His children often joked that Leo was more excited to see Wrigley than anyone else.

Leo is survived by his wife, Mary Jeanne Walech of Dubuque; three children, Kathleen (Matt) Haas of Dubuque, Elizabeth (Sean) Johnson of Asbury, and Jon (Margo) Walech of Medina, MN; two grandchildren, Victor J. Walech and Nicholas H. Walech.

He is also survived by three siblings, Marie Hansel of Centralia, Betty Murphy of Dubuque, and Jan (Bill) Kueter of Durango; and many nieces and nephews.

Leo was preceded in death by a sister, Vickie Fischer and four brothers in law, Albert Fischer, Bob Hansel, Louis Murphy, and Tom Reilly.

Memorials may be made to the Leo Walech Memorial Fund.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at the University of Iowa Palliative Care Unit as well as nurses, Tyler and Keri, at Compasus Hospice for their loving care.