Richard D. “Dick” Kokemiller, of Dubuque, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2026 at the age of 92, after a long life of quiet kindness, hard work, and generosity.

Visitation will be from 9:00 am until 10:45 am Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

The Funeral Service for Dick will be 11:00 am Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church with Rev. Jonathan T. Crawford officiating. Military honors will be rendered by the American Legion Post #6 and the Iowa Army National Guard. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at later date.

Dick was born on November 14, 1933 in Boone County, Iowa to Carl and Gladys Garrison Kokemiller and spent his childhood there with his three brothers and with the loving support from his Aunt Mary. He was proud of his military service in the army, deployed to Korea during that war.

Dick was a lifelong learner, helper, and problem solver. He was a proud tool and die maker, first at Square D in Cedar Rapids for 17 years, and then at John Deere in Dubuque for 23 years. He took his job seriously and contributed greatly. He was an enthusiastic member of UAW 94 and he thoroughly enjoyed many years of “Retiree’s Lunch”.

He married Eunice Kramer Neuhaus on November 23, 1968. Anyone who knows his life story recognizes that with his marriage vows came the understanding that he would gain not only a loving wife, but also four young children, Tom, Anne, Sharon, Ellen. Together with them and the addition of their daughter, Carla, they formed a family of seven, forging through the trials and joys of family life. Dick and Eunice were married for 57 years of shared commitment to each other and to their family.

Dick’s life was marked by varied interests and constant service to others. He was an active member of Saint Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he was a lay minister, frequent volunteer, and constant Bible study attendee. Through this association, he became a Board Member of Luther Manor, where he served for over a decade.

He was an active member of Tri State Antique and Classic Car Club for many years. He loved his beautiful and pristine 1929 Model A Ford, which his kids have fond memories of riding in parades and throwing out candy. They can still imitate, with reasonable accuracy, the sound of its horn. His iconic cherry red 1957 Chevy Bel-Air was gorgeous and an object of constant tinkering.

As much as he loved the beauty of his antique cars, he enjoyed the dirt and chaos of stock car races, which he faithfully attended every Friday often with one or more of his kids in tow. He also loved NASCAR and spent many hours following his favorites.

Dick excelled at problem-solving life’s big and small obstacles. He could build and finish off an entire basement, fix almost anything that was broken in the home or on a car, keep the yard immaculate, teach his kids how to check the oil level in their car, how to change that oil themselves to save money, build bookshelves for his house, and build a small bridge for grandkids to cross a stream from their backyard to their soccer fields. That same can-do spirit, along with the endless loving support of his wife, helped him survive two types of cancer. Their journey together got him through surgeries, radiation, hyperbaric oxygen treatments, and constant daily care of his arm.

Dick is survived by his devoted wife, Eunice; his children, Carla (Pete) Lawless, Ellen Neuhaus (Tom Schlueter), Sharon (Rob) Rolfes, Anne (Aaron) Smith, and Tom (Lisa) Neuhaus; and brother Marvin (Pauline) Kokemiller. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his loving Aunt Mary Kokemiller, his brothers, Virgil (Myrna) Kokemiller and Darrell Kokemiller, his niece, Carmen Kokemiller, and nephew, Paul Kokemiller.

A memorial has been established for Hospice of Dubuque, Luther Manor, and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Luther Manor, Hospice of Dubuque, and Pastor Crawford.

Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Crematory is in care of the arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Dick’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.