Ralph P. Weiss, III
Ralph Peter Weis, III passed away on January 26, 2025 in his hometown of Dubuque, IA after a short but courageous battle against cancer. He was 68 years old.
Peter was born on December 12, 1956 in Dubuque, IA to Ralph and Carolyn (Cosley) Weis. He attended St. Columbkille Catholic Elementary School and Wahlert Catholic High School. He married Molly Sutton on August 28th, 1981.
Peter spent over fifty years working at Interstate Pipe & Supply Company. Founded in 1960 by his father, Peter began working there in high school. He took full ownership after the untimely death of his brother Skip. For the past twenty years he’s continued to run the business with the integrity and values instilled in him by his father. The doors of IPASCO will remain open, with his daughter Lauren continuing on with the family business.
Peter was a founding member and former Commander of the local chapter of the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) and served the best scrambled eggs in town at their benefit breakfasts. He was a member of 660 Club of the Dubuque Shooting Society, a member of The Dubuque Golf & Country Club and a former member of The Elks Club of Dubuque. He was a devout parishioner at St. Columbkille Catholic Church. Over the years he served on parish council, grilled hamburgers for church picnics and ran the annual golf outing. Peter was a talented athlete. He loved basketball and spent many of his nights down at the YMCA when he was younger. He also played slow, modified and fast pitch softball. Later in life he took up golf and enjoyed it as much as any golfer can actually “enjoy” the sport. Lifelong memories were made during summer golf trips and in golf events with his wife and their friends. Peter also shot pool and played in various leagues throughout the years. Some of Peter’s other hobbies included a quiet game of chess with his good friend Rev. Gabriel Anderson, reading detective fiction, and cheering for (yelling at) the Green Bay Packers and New York Yankees. He was also a talented cook and spent many nights at the grill or in the kitchen cooking up a storm for his family.
He is survived by his wife Mary “Molly” Weis, his daughter Lauren (Kurtis) Peterson and his three beloved granddaughters Tia, Hadley and Carolyn all of Dubuque, IA. Also surviving are his two sisters Linda “Dolly” Steinman of Delray Beach, FL and Susan “Suzy” (Glen) Koelker of Dubuque, IA and his brother’s daughter’s Jennifer (Jeff) Manders and Ashli Weis both of Boynton Beach, FL. He is also survived by his in-laws Katherine “Kathy” Cullen, Nicholas (Susan) Sutton, Sarah Sutton and other nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and other family.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Carolyn Weis, his in-laws, Nicholas and Gertrude Sutton, Brother, Marc “Skip” Weis, Brothers in law, Thomas Steinman and Thomas Cullen, and niece Ciara Cullen.
Visitation is from 3:00-7:00pm on Wednesday January 29th at the Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Road. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on January 30th at St. Columbkille Catholic Church.
A Ralph Peter Weis Memorial Fund has been established.
Molly and Lauren want to take a moment to thank the incredible doctors, nurses and staff at the UW Health University Hospital for their care and compassion during his battle. They also want to thank Hospice of Dubuque for helping make Peter’s final days peaceful and comfortable. A heartfelt thank you to all the Road Warriors who drove Peter to and from Madison appointments week after week and to everyone who sent cards and goodies over the past few months. Finally, to Peter’s employees down at Interstate Pipe, the doors would’ve never remained open without them.