Obituaries Archive

Robert Pommerich

Robert Pommerich, 83, of Dubuque, died Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at his home at Assisi Village.

In his own words…
Bob was born December 29, 1936, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the only child of George and Rose (Washbush) Pommerich. In Bob’s senior year at St. Mary’s Springs High School, a letter arrived at school one day from legendary Loras basketball coach Vince Dowd, offering Bob a scholarship to play basketball at Loras. Bob had never heard of Loras college and was not exactly sure where Iowa was. Nevertheless, he traveled by Greyhound bus on a Sunday afternoon in September 1955 to Dubuque and the Loras campus, sight unseen, and enrolled. Everything he brought to Loras was contained in two suitcases, and one of them was not very large. During his senior year at Loras, Bob was interviewed by George Hansen of McGladrey, Hansen, Dunn & Company. He accepted a position on the audit staff in the Chicago office of Arthur Andersen & Co. After receiving his B.A. degree in Accounting from Loras, Bob enlisted in the Army in June 1959, spending 6 months active duty at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. In December 1959, he went to work in the Chicago office of Arthur Andersen & Co. In the fall of 1962, Bob began his 37-year teaching career by joining the Accounting faculty at Loras College. He passed the Certified Public Accountant exam in May 1963, receiving Iowa certificate number 640 from Virgil Hancher, who was the President of the University of Iowa and the speaker at the awards banquet. On August 22, 1964 Bob married Mellita Hanten at St. Columbkille Church in Dubuque.

Bob received an M.B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in August 1965. He was a pioneer in the development of computer usage at Loras, being the campus representative in a 1968-1970 project funded by the National Science Foundation comprised of a Regional Computer Center network headquartered at the University of Iowa under the direction of Gerard Weeg. Bob was a registration counselor for 17 successive years and served on numerous committees, including a memorable three year term as Chair of the Arts & Lectures Series Committee (1995-1998). During the 1994-1995 year, Bob and Mellita enjoyed a sabbatical year when Bob had an appointment as a visiting scholar (admittedly, a real stretch) at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. In 1991, Bob was honored to receive the Sears Roebuck Foundation Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award. He was also very honored to receive a Loras Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2002. In 2016, Bob was inducted into the Loras College Athletic Hall of Fame as a contributor. Bob was rather well-known for his dubious attempts at humor in the classroom. Frank Noonan coined the term “Pommerisms” in reference to some of his puns and stories.

Physical fitness and exercise were a big part of Bob’s life. He played on the basketball and tennis teams in high school and college. Tennis, in particular, was a life-long love, as he spent many an hour over the years on the courts at Loras and elsewhere. For 11 years, Bob participated in USTA Over 55 and Over 65 singles tournaments at various sites in Iowa. Once retired, Bob liked to exercise every morning. In the colder months, he had a routine at the fitness center. From April into November or December, it was tennis or biking, which he resumed when he acquired a bicycle in 1992. Some additional interests which surfaced following retirement were crossword and sudoku puzzles. Also, Bob enjoyed attending the Wednesday matinee performances during the live racing season at Dubuque Greyhound Park. Bob liked to attend events where food was served.

After retirement in 1999, Bob was named a Professor Emeritus and he maintained his ties to the college. His colleagues, Karen Sturm and Deb Pauly, spearheaded an effort to establish the Robert Pommerich Professorship in his honor. He occasionally helped out in the Business department to fill in for a faculty member as needed. He was the official scorekeeper for Loras Women’s and Men’s basketball from 1998 through 2015. Bob also thoroughly enjoyed his work as an AARP Tax Aide volunteer for 17 years beginning in 2001. He also served on the board of directors at the Dubuque Area Lifetime Center for over 6 years, part of that time being spent in the role of treasurer. Bob also took pleasure in his visits to Wrigley Field, benefiting from complimentary tickets from two former students. He and Mellita greatly enjoyed the weekly duplicate bridge games at the Lifetime Center. They also attended many concerts and plays at Loras and other Dubuque venues and elsewhere. Travel to visit children and grandchildren was also a distinct pleasure. One of the highlights of Bob’s life was being at centre court at Wimbledon in 1998 for the finals of the Men’s Singles (Pete Sampras beat Goran Ivanisevic in five sets) and the Women’s Doubles. Bob loved competition and always did his best to win, whether it was in board games with his children, on the tennis or racquetball court, at the bridge table, or in the fantasy football league with his Loras colleagues. He considered himself extremely fortunate to have survived cardiac arrest, suffered in November 2002, prostate cancer, diagnosed in November 2007, and a stroke, suffered in April 2015. In his healthier years, he was a regular blood donor.

In 2007, Bob was granted a free Life membership in the American Accounting Association, by virtue of having been a member of the AAA for 40 consecutive years.
Bob relished his roles as husband, father, and grandfather. He was extremely proud of his wife, children, and grandchildren.

He is survived by four children and five grandchildren: Karen (Michael Hosford) Pommerich of Swannanoa, North Carolina, Jim (Finola) Pommerich and their children, Liam, Tara, and Rory, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Mary Pommerich (Skip Kadish) of Marina, California, and John (Karen Saxer) Pommerich and their children, Earl and Raymond, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mellita, on April 10, 2018.

Memorials may be given to the Pommerich professorship at Loras College, the Dubuque Rescue Mission, or the charity of your choice.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Church of the Nativity with Rev. Msgr. James Miller as the Celebrant. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Key West. There will be a public Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life held at a later date.

The family would like to thank the staff of Assisi Village and Hospice of Dubuque for their kind and compassionate care.

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

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

Gerald F. Hohensee

Gerald F. “Jerry” Hohensee, age 72, of Dubuque, Iowa, completed his earthly journey on August 26, 2020, at home, surrounded by his loving family. To honor Gerald’s life, his Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Gerald’s family.

Gerald was born on November 6, 1947 in Winona, Minnesota, a son to Frederick and Ethel Hohensee. He eventually made his way to the Dubuque area and was a proud graduate of Bellevue High School. Shortly after graduation, Gerald joined the U.S. Navy and went to serve beside his fellow Brothers in Arms in Vietnam. He proudly completed his tour and returned home to begin his career in Plumbing and Heating. Gerald spent over 44 years in the trade before finally retiring. In his free-time, Gerald had 2 favorite ways to spend his day. First, was enjoying a relaxing day boating on the river while taking in all of the serenity and glory of God’s creation as it surrounded him. And second, was any opportunity for a little socializing and working alongside all of his friends at the Veteran’s Freedom Center. Gerald always knew that his faithful cat would be waiting for him at home, but every hour he was able to spend helping and serving our community’s fellow veterans was time well spent by any measure. Gerald was a good and decent man through and through and his legacy is just as wonderful as he set out to make it. We will miss his gentle heart, patient soul, and continually joyful spirit, which generally possessed a perfectly content whistle moving right along within them. We find peace in knowing that his suffering is now over, but our broken hearts will never truly mend until we finally see our Gerald once again, and thankfully, in a state of eternal perfection.

Those left behind to cherish the memory of Gerald include,

his 2 sons,
Tracy A. Hohensee, Dubuque, Iowa,
and Travis L. Hohensee, Galena, Illinois;

his grandchildren,
Alan L. (June Kruse) Hohensee, Dubuque, Iowa,
Alley P. ( A.J. Prine) Hohensee, Dubuque, Iowa,
Amanda L. Hohensee, Dubuque, Iowa;

his great-grandchildren,
Addaylee J. Hohensee and Landyn J. Kane;

along with numerous extended family, friends, and neighbors.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents.

Gerald’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Hospice of Dubuque for all of their professional, compassionate, and tender care of Gerald, as well as his family. You truly helped Dad find peace through some very difficult days and we appreciate all that you’ve done!

Online condolences may be shared with Gerald’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com

Jeannette L. (Koenig) Campbell

Jeannette L. (Koenig) Campbell, 92, of Nashua, Iowa, formerly of East Dubuque, IL, passed away on Monday, August 17, 2020 at Cedar Valley Hospice House in Waterloo, IA.

Graveside services will be 1:30 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2020 at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque, where she will be laid to rest next to her daughter, Nancy (Campbell) Ball, her son, Thomas Campbell, and her great-grandson, Kael Ball.

Her Celebration of Life will be held at Eagle Point Park – The Bridge Room on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a Hospice Service of your choice. Relatives and friends are respectively invited to attend.

The Miller Funeral Home of East Dubuque is serving the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com©

Donny D. Graves

Donny D. Graves, 42, of East Dubuque, IL, passed away on Friday, August 7, 2020.

A memorial celebration of life will be held at a later date. The Miller Funeral Home of East Dubuque is serving the family.

He was born on November 25, 1977, in Dubuque, IA, the son of Jerry and Carol (Kirschbaum) Graves.

Donny was very outgoing and loved by all. He loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed watching Nascar Racing and playing games on his phone. He loved going antiquing with his Aunt Mary.

Surviving are his parents, Jerry and Carol; brothers, Joe (Lisa) Graves of Brodhead, WI, and Chris (Julie) Graves of Monroe, WI; his aunts and uncles, Mary Westemeier, Betty Schneider, Jeannie Dura, Harold (Carla) Staudenraous, David Kirschbaum and Sue Kirschbaum; many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews and cousins.

Donny was preceded in death by his brother, Scott Graves, paternal grandparents, Katie and Doyle Graves, maternal grandparents, Paul and Minnie Kirschbaum; uncles and aunts, Joe and Loretta Graves, Jake and Irene Graves and Steve Kirschbaum.

You will forever be in our hearts. We love and miss you so much. Mom, Dad, Joe and Chris.

On line condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com.©

Julie A. Potter

Julie Ann Potter, 57, beloved wife of John Potter, passed beyond this earthly place on Tuesday, August 25, 2020.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm Friday, August 28 at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Westview Funeral Home, 2659 Kennedy Road where there will be a parish wake service at 3:30. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Holy Spirit Parish-Holy Trinity Church. Burial will in Mt Calvary Cemetery.

Julie was born November 26, 1962 in Dubuque, daughter of Robert and Barbara (Strong) Durey. She graduated from Dubuque Hempstead High School in 1981. On August 15, 1992, she married the love of her life John.

Her love of baking and cooking started at a young age. She owned and operated Retro Cakes and Cupcravery since 2014.

Julie also enjoyed Retro Culture and festival events, live music, her “Motor Family,” exploration through local and long distance travels such as Colorado Rocky Mountains, Hawaii, and Alaska with her husband. She loved spending time with loved ones, especially with the “littles.”

She is survived by her husband, John of Sherrill; Mother, Barbara Durey of Dubuque; siblings, Robert Durey and Jennifer Durey Waugh, both of Dubuque; many nieces and nephews, including Amanda and Jordan Reynolds and Taylor Nemmers, with whom she had very special relationships.

She was preceded in death by a niece, Kelly Reynolds; sister, Jeanne Reynolds and father, Robert Durey.

For further information, please visit www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com.

Memorials may be made to the Julie Ann Potter Memorial Fund.

Ruby Williams

Ruby Williams, lovingly known as “Mama”, was born on March 10, 1930 in Wallace, Louisiana to the union of Abraham and Rosalie Adams. She was the youngest of six siblings, two boys and four girls: Roland, Bernard, Octavia, Rose, and Juanita.
Ruby received God at an early age. She was Christened on March 16, 1930 at St. Philip Church in Vacherie, Louisiana. She attended San Damiano Chapel for Mass in Dubuque, Iowa.
Ruby attended Doolittle elementary school, which all three of her children later attended. She also went to Dunbar trade school to learn Cosmetology.

Ruby worked various jobs, one being Oxford House Motor Hotel in housekeeping, but the job she was most proud of was being a stay at home mother and wife. Her children would have given her MOM of the year award each and every year for the amazing job she did and a side title of “bestest mom” would have been given daily by her youngest, Vernice.

Ruby married Moses Smith. To this union three children were born: Mark Anthony, Michael Andre, and Vernice Patricia. They later separated.

On July 30, 1975, Ruby met and married Milton Williams in Chicago, Illinois.

Rudy helped anyone in need. She loved children and animals, especially cats. She loved to cook and her food was amazing from her gumbo, pound cake, or her famous back-side soup she made for her grandchildren when they were sick. She loved music; Al Green, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye were a few of her favorites. Once the music started to play, she was ready to, as she would say, “PAR-TAY”.

Ruby lost her battle with Alzheimer’s disease on Saturday 22, 2020 in Dubuque, Iowa where daughter and granddaughter rarely left her side.

She is survived by her Daughter Vernice “Pat” Mosley (Marlon); daughter-in-law Sandra Morten; sister Juanita (Willie) Hawthrone; seven grandchildren Michael, Robert, Kenny, Marcus (Tomica), Temaka, Nicole, Ronniesia; eight great grandchildren Stephfon, Denise “Dee-Dee”, Danija, Thomas, Isiaih, Sierra, Taylor, Tobias; two great-great grandsons and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

She will be greeted in heaven by her parents Abraham and Rosalie Adams; special parents Clifford and Alice Lamar; two brothers Roland (mildred), Bernard (Pam), two sisters Octavia (Joe), Rose (George); her special brother George (Pauline); and two great grandsons D’ante and D’rod. Her biggest heavenly welcome with come from her two sons Mark and Michael.

Special thanks to Wade, Sandra, Dorothy, Pat, Wilburt (Pam), Levatta, Teresa, Mary, Veronica, Dr. Jedlicka and the many nurses who became family from Stonehill.
We are comforted knowing Ruby is no longer in pain and will be able to dance again.

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

Condolences sent to the family by visiting Ruby’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.

Thomas R. Dorsey

Thomas R. “Tom” Dorsey, age 84, of Dubuque, passed away peacefully at 9:45 a.m., on Friday, August 21, 2020, at Dubuque Specialty Care. To celebrate Tom’s life, family and friends may visit from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., on Friday, August 28, 2020, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street. Due to the COVID-19 mandate issued by the City of Dubuque all who attend will be required to wear a face covering. To honor Tom’s life, funeral services will be held immediately after visitation at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, August 28, 2020, at Holy Spirit Parish, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1701 Rhomberg Avenue, with Rev. Mark Kwenin officiating. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery.

Tom was born on September 21, 1935, in Waverly, Iowa, son of Richard and Mary (Donlon) Dorsey.

Tom was a proud lifelong Dubuque resident. He was employed with Caradco for several years as well as working part-time at the library and in the kitchens of several healthcare facilities. He was united in marriage to Genevieve LeClair, and Tom welcomed her and her 2 children into his home with open arms. Sadly, Genevieve was called home ahead of Tom on June 14, 1979. Tom was a very active member of Holy Trinity Church where he sang in the choir and enjoyed getting together with fellow church members to play cards. He loved being outside and walked all of the time, never driving anywhere. Tom was an avid sports fan, always rooting for the New York Yankees and the Chicago Bears. He was a quiet, humble man who enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. Tom will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish Tom’s memory include several nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Genevieve Dorsey; a sister, Catherine (Donald) Cornwell; and a brother, Joseph (Dani) Dorsey.

Tom’s family would like to thank Dr. Angela Hubanks, and the nurses and staff of Dubuque Specialty Care and Hospice of Dubuque, for all of their outstanding care of Tom. Tom also appreciated all of the friends he made at Davis Place, they were truly like family to him.

Memorials will be accepted by the family and may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Thomas Dorsey Family.

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

William R. Maher

William Robert “Bill” Maher, 97, passed away on August 21st in Dubuque, Iowa.

William was born to William and Beatrice Maher on February 05, 1923 in Stockton, Illinois. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in April 1943 and served as a Sergeant First Class with the 290th Infantry Regiment of the 75th Infantry Division in Europe during the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, earning a Bronze Star. He was honorably discharged from active duty in December 1945 and served in the Reserves from 1950 through April 1953.

He wed Eleanor C. Eberle on December 8, 1943, in Freeport, Illinois. They had four children: Karen (Dave) Coale, Michael (Ranee) Maher, Jeanne (Leo) Czervionke and Stephen (Shavaun) Maher. He wed Helen Hafeman in April 1994.

He was an apprenticed and artisan plasterer for his career and a locally known artist in wood sculpture as his passion up until he could no longer safely carve.

He spent his entire 97 years with a moral compass that was centered around his faith in God, in his family, and in his country. He never picked easy, he always picked what was right. And it is because of him and people like him that his family is able to have the gifts and values that we have! Thanks Dad!

William was preceded in death by his wives Eleanor and Helen, his son, Michael, his parents, his sister Bette (Joe) Duehr, and his brother Robert Maher. Bill loved his time with his 10 grandchildren Stefanie (Ross) Silvers, Shannon (Robert) Matricardi, Sean (Charissa) Maher, Danielle Maher, Eric (Debra) Czervionke, Jessica (Brian) Johnston, Margaret (Steven) Holtkamp, Grant (Emily) Maher, Meredith (Brandon) Wright, and Caroline Maher and later his 12 great grandchildren.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Oak Park Place and to Hospice of Dubuque.

Memorials may be given to Holy Spirit Parish – Holy Trinity Church.

Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in care of the arrangements (www.hskfhcares.com). Due to Covid-19, the Mass of Christian Burial for William will be live streamed from Holy Trinity Church at 10:00 AM on Monday, August 31, 2020. Most of the family will attend remotely but we welcome those who live locally and want to celebrate his life in person. The link to the live service can be found on the Funeral Home’s Facebook page and will also be available to view later at www.hskfhcares.com. A more extensive celebration of William’s long and interesting life will be held at a later time when it will be safe to gather in person.

Loras J. Nemmers

Loras Joseph Nemmers was born on the family farm, October 30, 1933 in LaMotte, Iowa to parents Joseph Peter and Irene Ann (Davis) Nemmers. He passed away in his home in Frisco, Texas on August 19, 2020 surrounded by his family.

Loras will be laid to rest in Dubuque, Iowa at Mount Olivet Cemetery on Friday, August 28, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Military honors will be accorded by the Dubuque Marine Corps League and the Bellevue American Legion Post 273. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, Dubuque Iowa is assisting the family. Online condolence may be left at www.leonardfuneralhome.com.

After graduating from Bellevue Public High School, he served in the US Marine Corp from 1953-1956 during the Korean War. Years later, Loras married Lois Keeney on January 30, 1965 at St. Donatus Catholic Church in St. Donatus, IA.
Known for his strong work ethic, Loras spent much of his life juggling his 32-year career at John Deere Dubuque Works while owning and operating a large family farm. Meanwhile, Loras and Lois started a family with the birth of their son, Dan. The Nemmers’ were later blessed with three girls to complete their family of 6.

Loras was a leader in his community. He was a founding member of the Buckeye Corporation, a lifetime member of the Bellevue Legion, and was a Knight of Columbus 4th degree.

Loras was an honorable and well respected man and a friend to many. He valued friendship and reputation. Loras was the most affable person around, making connections with everyone that crossed his path. His spirit will live on in our hearts forever.

Loras is survived by his loving wife Lois Marie Nemmers; children Dan Nemmers and his wife Amy, Tina Moore and her husband Tim, Sherri Hausner and her husband Chris and Sandra Pajak and her husband Michael; grandchildren Zackery, Joshua and Nathan Nemmers, Chelsie Moore and her fiancé James Stringfellow, Whitney Ramirez and her husband Juan, Kathryn, Christopher and Eryca Hausner, Andrew and Nicholas Pajak; brother Alvin Nemmers and his wife Bev, sisters in law Algene and Leota Nemmers, brother in law Dale Wilming, special niece and nephew Barb and Tim Carstens.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Irene Nemmers; siblings Virgil, Robert, and Joey Nemmers and sister Shirley Wilming.

A Catholic mass was held Monday, August 24, 2020 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Texas 75023 with The Rev Bruce Bradley officiating.

If desired, contributions may be made in Loras’ name to St Jude Children’s Hospital, https://www.stjude.org, (800) 805-5856 or ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607 or 855-401-4897

Jerry A. Spiegelhalter

Jerry A. Spiegelhalter, 66, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away on August 23, 202 at MercyOne Medical Center.

Family and friends may gather from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday, August 27, 2020 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road where a funeral service will be held at 1:00p.m. with Pastor Matt Agee officiating. Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Dubuque Marine Corps League.

Jerry was born on June 22, 1954 in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri the son of Robert Spiegelhalter and Deloris Gilbertson. He graduated from Dubuque Senior High School and after high school enlisted in the United States Navy where he served during Vietnam.

Jerry enjoyed watching boxing, playing horseshoes and cards along with having drinks with his family and many friends. No matter how difficult a task was, Jerry always found a way to accomplish it.

Jerry was a loving son, brother and father, and was loyal to all.

He is survived by his son Jake Spiegelhalter; his mother Deloris “Dee” Spiegelhalter and his sister Kim (Scott) Leonard.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father, grandparents, and a brother in infancy.

Edwin Wagner

Edwin “Ed” Wagner, age 96, of Dubuque, passed away unexpectedly at 4:54 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2020, at MercyOne Dubuque, surrounded by his loving family. To celebrate Ed’s life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., on Monday, August 31, 2020, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street. Due to the COVID-19 mandate issued by the City of Dubuque, all who attend will be required to wear a face covering. To honor Ed’s life, funeral services will be held immediately following visitation at 5:00 p.m., on Monday, August 31, 2020, at Behr Funeral Home, with Deacon Bill Bussan officiating. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery.

Ed was born on May 26, 1924, in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Edwin A. and Marie (Schueller) Wagner.

Ed graduated from Dubuque Senior High School, Class of 1942. After school Ed joined the U.S. Army Transportation Corps. Upon completion of his military service, Ed trained in repairing office equipment in Chicago, Illinois and Springfield, Missouri. While in Springfield he would discover a little restaurant with a beautiful waitress working there that would turn out to be his soulmate. Ed married the love of his life, Billie Jean Simmons, on June 5, 1948, in Springfield, Missouri. The two moved to Dubuque where they raised their son and celebrated 62 years of marriage together before Jean passed away on March 29, 2011. He was always a hard worker who was employed with Business Supply Company for several years before going into retail at the Milkhouse on University Avenue. He would return to Business Supply for a short time before going to work with Apple River Chemical Company where he would retire at age 65. When he found himself with some free time on his hands Ed enjoyed fixing things around the house, much to Jean’s delight. He was very mechanical and well known for traveling to relatives homes and helping them with projects as well. In his younger days Ed enjoyed squirrel hunting, which it turned out was actually more like squirrel watching. He was an avid fisherman and Massy Station was by far his favorite fishing hole. We are saddened at losing Ed in our daily lives, but take some comfort in knowing that he is now reunited with his beloved Jean.

Those left to cherish Ed’s memory include

his son,
Dr. Frank (Mary Ann) Wagner, St. Kitts, West Indies and Seabrook, TX;

a granddaughter,
Lynn (Greg) Hosch, Seabrook, TX;

a great-granddaughter,
Peyton Hosch, Seabrook, TX;

and his siblings,
Virginia Rohner,
and Karl (Janet) Wagner.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Billie Jean Wagner; his siblings, Dolly Gates and Marc Wagner.

Ed’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Ennoble for all of their kind and compassionate care of Ed and the entire family. Also special thanks to the nurses on 4th floor at Mercy Hospital for their kindness and wonderful care of Ed during his last moments.

Memorials will be accepted by the family and may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Edwin Wagner Family.

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

Donald E. Mai

Donald E. “Donnie” Mai, age 72, of Dubuque, passed away at 1:45 a.m., on Saturday, August 22, 2020, at Sunnycrest Manor. To celebrate Don’s life, private family services were held. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery at a later date following cremation. Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, is in charge of arrangements.

Donnie was born on September 11, 1947, in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Frank C. and Marie A. (Fritsch) Mai.

Donnie graduated from Dubuque Senior High School. He was employed in the kitchen at Mercy Hospital for several years. In his free time, Donnie enjoyed fishing, playing cards and going bowling. He was a long time resident of Sunnycrest Manor, where he became a beloved part of the family. We will miss seeing Donnie’s smile, but take some comfort in knowing that he is now resting in peace, free of the health challenges he has faced these past years.

Those left to cherish Donnie’s memory include

his 2 brothers,
Tom Mai, Monticello, IA
and Dave (Sherri) Mai, Dubuque, IA;

and several nieces and nephews.

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters, 1 in infancy and Eleanor “Toby” (Bill) Petsch; and a sister-in-law, Janet Mai.

Donnie’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Sunnycrest who have taken excellent care of Donnie for several years, truly becoming his 2nd family. Also thanks to Hospice of Dubuque for keeping Donnie comfortable these past weeks.

Memorials will be accepted by the family and may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Donald Mai Family.

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

Lucille A. (Sigwarth) Link

Lucille A. “Sis” (Sigwarth) Link, age 89, of Dubuque and formerly of Balltown, Iowa, passed away peacefully at 9:11p.m., on Sunday, August 23, 2020, at Stonehill Care Center, with family by her side surrounded by music. Due to COVID-19 concerns, a private family visitation and Catholic Mass was held to celebrate Sis’ life at St. Columbkille’s Church. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery, Balltown, Iowa. The Funeral Mass will be available for viewing on the Behr Funeral Home Facebook page after Tuesday, September 1, 2020.

Lucille was born on April 6, 1931, in Balltown, Iowa, daughter of John and Anna (Leick) Sigwarth.

Sis was united in marriage to the love of her life, Delbert P. Link, on May 15, 1951, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Balltown. They settled into their new life farming side by side and raising their family. They were blessed to celebrate almost 61 years of married life together before Del passed away on May 7, 2012. Sis was very committed to the parishes of St. Francis and St. Columbkille’s, leading the music program, being a Eucharist Minister and Lector. She volunteered at the school helping the children with reading and spelling. Sis also devoted time to Birthright and the Dubuque County Right to Life. She was an incredible baker of pies, cakes and candies, a trait not only appreciated by family and friends, but also earning her several blue ribbons at the county fair. Sis was also an active leader of the 4-H program. She enjoyed reading, writing poetry, playing cards and bowling. Sis never stopped learning by completing the Archdiocese Lay Formation Program, Bible study, and learning to play the violin. Never one to sit still, Sis was an active traveler as well, including trips to Europe, Canada and the U.S., including Alaska and multiple trips to Hawaii. She especially loved sharing her gift of music with all of the residents and staff members of Stonehill. Sis was truly one of a kind, a hard working woman who treasured her family, faith and was committed to helping her community. She was loved and will be missed more than words can convey.

Those left to cherish Sis’ memory include

her children,
Mark (Diane) Link, Dubuque, IA,
Bill (Jean) Link, Dubuque, IA
and Roseann (Steve) Weust, Rockford, IL;

a son-in-law,
Paul Decker, Dubuque, IA;

her 11 grandchildren,
Emily, Molly, Kayti, Krystal, Ryan, Nathan, Rebecca, Alison, Nicole, Chandal and Mitchell;

7 great-grandsons and 2 great-granddaughters;

and her siblings,
Alice Link, Dubuque, IA,
Marina Klein, Dubuque, IA
and Louis (Jean) Sigwarth, Balltown, IA.

Sis was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Delbert P. Link; a daughter, Kathy Decker; her siblings, Armella (Al) Banwarth, Rev. Reynold Sigwarth, Dorothy (Arnie) Klein, Celestine (Eleanor) Sigwarth, and Werner (Dolores) Sigwarth; and 2 brothers-in-law, John Klein and Sylvester Link.

Sis’ family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of her compassionate caregivers throughout the years.

Memorials in honor of Sis may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Lucille Link Family.

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

Charles William Yager

Charles William “Bill” Yager, 77, of Dubuque, died Sunday, August 23, 2020, at his home after a courageous battle against cancer for over the last 10 years.

Visitation will be from 5 PM until 7 PM Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home, 3860 Asbury Road. Please respect our current social distancing requirements and the Dubuque city mask ordinance. If you are not feeling well or are unable to attend, we encourage you to visit www.hskfhcares.com to send a message to Bill’s family. The Funeral Service for Bill will be 10 AM Wednesday, August 26 at Grace United Methodist Church, 318 N. Center St. in Geneseo, IL, with Rev. Thomas C. Shinkle officiating. Family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Geneseo. The service will be live streamed on Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home’s Facebook page and will also be available to view later at www.hskfhcares.com.

Bill was born March 9, 1943, in Geneseo, IL, the son of Willis Charles and Ethel Florence McKibbon Yager. If you were a Yager, you knew him by Tad. On November 13, 1971, he married Barbara Ann Reisch in Dubuque.

He was a graduate of Geneseo High School. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Iowa Wesleyan College.

He retired from Case International where he worked in sales management.

He was an active member of Grand View United Methodist Church in Dubuque, where he volunteered on a regular basis. Bill enjoyed hit & miss engines, farming, breakfast with the men’s church group, joking around, and spending time with his family and friends. He was also a proud Republican.

Survivors include his wife, Barb; two daughters, Sarah (Bradley) VanZee of Farmington, MO, and Stephanie Yager of Dubuque; two grandsons, Arie VanZee, and Elias VanZee; one brother, Alan (Connie) Yager of Geneseo, IL; one sister, Kathryn Brown of Chicago, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a stillborn daughter, Lisa Marie and brother-in-law, Russell Brown.

Memorials have been established for Alzheimer’s Association and American Cancer Society.

The family thanks all of his doctors, nurses, Hospice of Dubuque and his family and friends for their continued support.

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

A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences sent to the family by visiting Bill’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.

Eileen H. White

Eileen H. (Stierman) White, age 92, of East Dubuque, IL, passed away peacefully at 4:30 pm, on Friday, August 21, 2020, at UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.  To celebrate Eileen’s life, private gatherings of friends and family will be held.  Burial will be in Dubuque Memorial Gardens at a later date following cremation.

Eileen was born on October 5, 1927, in Canova, SD, daughter of Fred and Agnes (Gassman) Stierman who moved to Dubuque with their children during the Dust Bowl period of the 1930’s.

Eileen attended school at Dubuque Senior High School.

She was united in marriage to the love of her life, M.K. “Mike” White, on September 9, 1950, at Holy Ghost Church in Dubuque. They were blessed with 5 children and 54 wonderful years together until Mike passed away on April 25, 2005.

Eileen was employed at Dubuque Battery Factory during the war years following high school.  Then, after full-time caring of 5 children into their school-age years, she returned to the work force at Janlin Plastics until the company relocated to Mt Horeb, WI.

In her free time, Eileen could be found in the yard weeding and mowing grass, planting and transplanting flowers and shrubs, and filling bird feeders.  She loved to sit in her patio swing which was strategically placed right next to the house in a spot where she could watch her birds feeding and enjoy the hummingbirds zooming by.  Her “pet” squirrel Alvin was always front and center waiting anxiously for his daily snack.  She began every morning with the daily newspaper and a fresh cup of coffee at her kitchen table, looking out the patio door to her expansive back lawn that abuts the wooden portion of her 7+ acre lot.  From there she would watch the deer, wild turkey and other critters of the wild meander along the open spaces.  Mom was truly a city gal gone country!  And in the evening she would watch the most beautiful sunsets the Midwest can offer from the same kitchen location.  Her favorite place to be was with her family, quality time spoke love to her.  If you said “want to go”, she was in the car before you could say where you were going.  She would often reflect on her trips with her best friends, Roger and Karen.  Making the trip to see her son and daughter-in-law in Turkey at age 88 and shopping at the Grand Bazaar, was a highlight of her travels.

Born catholic, Mom surrendered and gave her heart to Jesus on New Years Eve 1995 and never looked back.  She later became a member of Word of Life Church.  Mom thanked the Lord every day for her family and her health.  We’re sure she has one more “favorite” activity now, dancing in Heaven with her Savior.

Those left to cherish Eileen’s memory include

her 5 children,
Rick (Sue) White, Peosta, IA,
Dennis White, Dubuque, IA,
Ron (Margie) White, Dubuque, IA,
Don (Diane) White, Istanbul, Turkey
and Cheri Thilmany, East Dubuque IL;

her 5 grandchildren,
Brian (Shelby) White, Peosta, IA,
Craig White, Highlands Ranch, CO,
Kristy (Nick) Duran, Abbotsford, BC Canada,
Dan (Andrea)White, Morgantown, WV
and Autumn Bennett, Pella, IA;

her 6 great-grandchildren,
Allison and Tyler White, Lauren Harrison, Gavin White, Isabel and Melania Duran and Everly White;

her brother,
Dale Stierman, Dubuque, IA;

2 sisters-in-law,
Louise Stierman, Dearborn Heights, MI
and Pat Kent, Winslow, IL;

and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews – all of which Eileen constantly stayed in touch with as the “great communicator” matriarch of the Stierman and White/Kent family trees.

Eileen was preceded in death by her husband “Mike”; parents, Fred and Agnes; her brothers and sister-in-laws, Eldon (Marge) Stierman, Clyde (Marie) Stierman, Roy (Barbara) Stierman, Claire “Red” Stierman, Cyril Stierman, Virginia “Ginny” Stierman and Beverly Stierman; and her in-laws, Eldena (Francis) Kent-Butler, Eldon Kent and Wilfred (Lela) White.

Thank you to the doctors, nurses and chaplain Claudia, at UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital for the quality and compassionate care they provided Eileen in her final days.  Special thank you to Phil Holsten who was more like a son than a great neighbor to Eileen and special thanks to all her Galena Estates friends and neighbors for  their loving and thoughtful support of her.

Memorials will be accepted by the family and may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Eileen White Family, which will be distributed among Eileen’s favorite charities.

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