Leon J. Jaeger, 80, of Dubuque, formerly of Balltown, died Monday, December 22, 2025, at his home in Dubuque after a 20 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

A prayer service will be held at 3:00 pm on Monday, December 29, 2025 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory followed by visitation until 7:00 pm.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Leon will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Church of the Resurrection with Father Phil Gibbs as the Celebrant. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Dubuque where military honors will be rendered by American Legion Post #137 of Dyersville, IA.

Leon was born September 9, 1945, in Dubuque, IA, the son of William L. and Lucille M. (Hannan) Jaeger. He graduated from Holy Cross High School in 1963. On September 11, 1965, he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Connie Lucas in Holy Cross, IA.

Leon served in the U.S. Army for a year during the Vietnam era. After his time in the service, Leon came back home to run the family dairy farm for the next 45 years. Leon took immense pride in the farm, finding joy and fulfillment in working alongside his family each day. He always made quality milk a top priority and received numerous awards for his efforts. He was also the first to implement Contour Strip Farming in Dubuque County, where he earned an award from Dubuque County Conservation.

Deeply committed to his community, Leon served with dedication on both the Holy Cross school board and the Sherrill Fire Department board. He was also a faithful member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Balltown, IA and later, Church of The Resurrection.

Leon was a dedicated husband, devoted father, and a true family man. After selling the dairy herd in 2010, he was able to spend more time with family and attend his grandchildren’s activities. Leon will be remembered by his children and grandchildren for his songs and jokes. With no regard to whether his lyrics matched a real song, Leon could make a song or whistle a tune out of anything. He also enjoyed a competitive game of euchre with his family and card club friends.

Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Connie (Lucas) Jaeger; his six children, Lynn (Ed) Miller of Dubuque, Ed (Renee) Jaeger of Lake Geneva, WI, Tony (Deb) Jaeger of Dubuque, Ann (Jeremy) Woeppel of Chambers, NE, Mark (Melissa) Jaeger of Berthoud, CO, and Beth Hemmer of Dubuque; ten grandchildren, Nathan Jaeger, Abby (Spencer Geers) Crabtree, Cameron Jaeger, Claire, Rose, and Judd Woeppel, Will and Ben Jaeger, and Andrew and Sam Hemmer; one great-grandchild, Alana Jaeger; four sisters, Nancy Brimeyer of Dubuque, Shirley (Norb) Kress of Zwingle, IA, Phyliss (Jim) Lahey of Sherrill, and Carol (Jack) Specht of Holy Cross, IA; eight siblings-in-law, Judy Vonderhaar of Dyersville, Ruth Lucas of Dyersville, Mark (Jen Stansberry) Lucas of Iowa City, IA, John (Bev) Lucas of Sherrill, Carrie Schmitt of Rickardsville, Joe (Michele) Lucas of Lake St. Louis, MO, Dan (Angie Phillips) Lucas of Minneapolis, MN, and Barb  Lucas of Iowa City; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothy Kunkle; brothers-in-law, John Vonderhaar, Tom Lucas, Mike Schmitt, Herb Brimeyer, and Donald Kunkle; and son-in-law, Eric Hemmer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Leon’s honor to Hospice of Dubuque.

The family would like to extend a special Thank You to Hospice of Dubuque, Dr. Mark Runde, PA Connor Golden and Dr. Peroski of Medical Associates, No Place Like Home, Dubuque VA, and Deacon Mike and the Resurrection Church family. It is with the deepest love and appreciation that we thank you all for your loving care and support.