LeRoy V. “Grumpy” Hoftender, 94, of Dubuque, passed away on October 30, 2026, at UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road. A time of sharing and military honors accorded by the American Legion Post #6 will be held at 11:00 a.m.

LeRoy was born on February 5, 1932, in Menominee, Illinois, the son of Vincent L. and Marie A. (Loeffelholz) Hoftender. He was united in marriage to Virginia R. Ziel at the Dubuque County Courthouse on February 25, 1952. LeRoy worked at the John Deere Dubuque Works Foundry. LeRoy honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Dunleith Boat Club and Dunleith Snow Mobile Club.

LeRoy adored his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He loved life on the river and being outside, whether it was fishing, boating, or camping.

LeRoy is survived by his children, Dawn (Mark) Decker, Rick (Eunice) Hoftender, and Kellie Hoftender; grandchildren, Chris (Stephanie) Decker, Joe (Hailey) Decker, Cathy Decker, and Dakota (Rachel) Hoftender; great grandchildren, Tucker Hoftender, Landyn Hoftender, Jaxson Beversdorf, Travis Hoftender, Jackson Decker, Peyton Decker, Ryan Decker, and Ollie Decker; siblings, Shirley Gassman, Gerald “Moe” (Linda) Hoftender, and Pat Gross; and siblings-in-law Hubert Brimeyer, and Deanna Hoftender.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Hoftender; his parents; his siblings, Robert, Donald, Raymond, Vincent “Jiggs” (Modesta “Sis”) Hoftender, and Rosemary Brimeyer; and in-laws Roger Gross, and Donald (Norene) Ziel.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Veteran’s Freedom Center in LeRoy’s name.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the nursing staff at UnityPoint Finley Hospital for their kind and compassionate care, and thank you to Hospice of Dubuque for their support and guidance during this time. The family is deeply grateful to the staff at downtown Sunshine Family Restaurant, where LeRoy was a familiar face for decades. Their kindness, friendship, and genuine care over the years meant more to him and our family than words can express.