Richard J. Spautz, age 78, of Dubuque, passed away at 7:55 a.m., on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at home.  To honor Richard’s life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home, with Deacon David Roth officiating.  Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery with military rites accorded by Dubuque American Legion Post 6.

Dick was born on September 20, 1946, in Dubuque, son of Robert and Lorraine (Bleile) Spautz.

He attended school at Sacred Heart, Wahlert High School and graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1964.  Following school, Dick was drafted into the Marines and served honorably for two years during the Vietnam War.  He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California and Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.  While in New Jersey visiting family, he met the love of his life, Margaret “Mags” Norris.  They were married on September 19, 1970 at Sacred Heart Church in Dubuque.  Dick and Mags were happily married for 43 years before she passed away on November 12, 2013.

Following his service in the Marines, Dick began working for Caradco in Dubuque, before taking a job with the Dubuque Packing Company.  His career spanned over 30 years and all of The Pack’s name changes until it closed in 2001.  Dick worked at Goodwill in Dubuque for 10 years and another 7 years in maintenance at Oak Park Place before finally “retiring” in 2018.

When not working, Dick could be found outside in his garden or his yard tending to his plants and flowers.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and his grandchildren.
Dick will be greatly missed by his family and all the people he considered his friends.

Those left to cherish Dick’s memory include his children,
Jeff (Paula) Spautz, Ramsey, MN,
Chris (Anna) Spautz, Dubuque, IA,
Jason (Jessica) Spautz, Dubuque, IA
Mark Spautz, Dubuque, IA;

his grandchildren, Alex, Addison, Tyler, Dacoda, Chloey, Dawson, Trenton and Brynn;

his sister, Diane (Charles) Herrig, Dubuque, IA;

his brother, Michael Spautz, Dubuque, IA;

and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret; and his twin brother, Robert Spautz.

Dick’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital and Hospice of Dubuque for all of their care and support.

Cards and memorials in Dick’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Richard Spautz Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com