Obituaries Archive

Veronica M. Steuer-Pfiffner

Veronica M. Steuer-Pfiffner, age 92, of Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 12:57 a.m., on Friday, January 19, 2018, at Dubuque Specialty Care, surrounded by her loving family. To honor Veronica’s life, funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m., on Monday, January 22, 2018, at St. Anthony’s Church, 1880 Saint Ambrose Street, with Rev. Steven J. Rosonke officiating. To celebrate Veronica’s life, family and friends may visit from 2:00 p.m., until the time of services at 3:30 p.m., on Monday, at St. Anthony’s Church. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, is in charge of arrangements.

Veronica was born on October 12, 1925, in Jackson County, Iowa, daughter of Nicholas R. and Agnes A. (Smith) Thill.

Veronica was a long-time resident of Dubuque, where she invested over 25 years of her working career with the Dubuque Packing Company. She found love early in life and would marry Cletus Steuer on September 11, 1948. They were blessed with several years together, and 3 children, before he was sadly called home ahead of her. Veronica would fortunately find love again with LaVern Pfiffner, and they would be united in marriage on May 12, 1990. Veronica was a faith filled woman who was a long-time member of St. Anthony’s Church, but she also enjoyed attending mass at the Church of the Nativity on occasion. In her free time, Veronica enjoyed traveling the country, as well as creating beautiful craft projects to share with family and friends. Veronica’s earthly journey has now ended, but we are forever grateful for the 92 years we had to spend with her. We love you, and will miss you tremendously, but take comfort in knowing that you are now resting peacefully in the arms of your loving Lord and Savior.

Those left to cherish Veronica’s memory include

her husband,
LaVern Pfiffner, Dubuque, IA;

her children,
Donna VonFumetti, San Diego, CA
and Terrance (Linda) Steuer, Dubuque;

her 10 grandchildren,

her 12 great-grandchildren,

a son-in-law,
Homer Weber, Cuba City, WI;

her step-children,
Robert (Ann) Pfiffner, Long Grove, IA,
Linda Krabacher-Bennett, East Dubuque, IL,
Kathy (Alan) Ernzen, Dubuque, IA
and James (Michelle) Pfiffner, Davenport, IA;

8 step-grandchildren;

and 12 step-great-grandchildren.

Veronica was preceded in death by her parents; her 1st husband, Cletus Steuer; a daughter, Janice Weber; a sister, Sr. Mary Thill; a brother, Joseph Thill; a son-in-law, Gary VonFumetti; and a step-son-in-law, Jack Bennett.

A Veronica M. Pfiffner memorial fund has been established, which will be distributed among her favorite charities.

Veronica’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Dubuque Specialty Care, and Hospice of Dubuque, for all of the kind, compassionate and professional care of Veronica, and her family.

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

Rose Marie Foley

Rose Marie Foley, 87, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at Stonehill Care Center.
Funeral mass will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday, January 22, 2018 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church with Rev. Gabriel Anderson officiating. Family and friends may gather after 9:00 a.m. Monday at the church until time of mass. Burial will be at a later date in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road is in charge of arrangements.

Rose was born on April 15, 1930 in Calmar, Iowa the daughter of Ernest and Frances (Schmitt) Hauber.
She married William P. Foley on July 8th, 1950. He preceded her in death on August 21, 1972. The passing of William left Rose with the task of raising seven children alone at the age of 42. She lovingly and successfully dedicated herself to that cause and watched each of her children complete college or a professional program after high school.

The two most important things in her life were her faith and her family. Both things gave her tremendous comfort during good days and bad days. Throughout her life Rose attended daily mass. At services across Dubuque, you could find Rose comfortably situated in the back of the church, often accompanied by her children. She taught them to treat everyone with kindness and love and modeled it faithfully. She was extremely proud of her family. And her family was extremely proud of her.
Rose enjoyed a good game of cards with family and friends and time spent at the local casino, where most of her efforts were philanthropic. She was known to tool around town in her Jeep to local garage sales and grocery stores in search of a bargain before hurrying home to spend time with her beloved cat Gracie. But if the winter weather was about to turn bad, Rosie would stay put. She was an avid Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers fan. She enjoyed a cold beer poured over a full glass of ice and a nice chat with her neighbors who she treasured dearly.

Rose was a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family. She stayed in constant contact with her seven children, but her children knew not to call her between 6:30 and 7:00 while she was enjoying Wheel of Fortune.

She was the proud niece of local World War II hero Chaplain Aloysius Schmitt who saved many lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor. She proudly and honorably accepted his burial flag at his recently held military rites ceremony at Loras College.

She is survived by her seven children, Sue Makovec, of Dubuque, William (Shirley) Foley, of Dyersville, Michael (Marcia) Foley, of Katy, TX, Kathryn Foley-Hingtgen, of Fond du Lac, WI, Robert (Leslie) Foley, of Dubuque, John (Kristin) Foley, and Steven (Jaclyn) Foley, both of Bettendorf. Nineteen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

She was also preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Frances Hauber; her sister Juanita (Marc) Ryan; son-in-law Steve Makovec; and two grandchildren Michael James Foley and Jennifer Makovec.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Matthew Kirkendall and Dr. Allen Meurer and their staffs, along with the caring people at Stonehill Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque for all the wonderful care, kindness and compassion they showed Rose.

In lieu of flowers, a Rose Foley memorial fund will be established.

Loretta M. Wittstock

Loretta M. Wittstock, 89, of Dubuque, passed away Thursday, January 18, 2018 at Finley Hospital. She left this world to once again join hands, as they always did, with her husband, Bill.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 22 at St. Raphael’s Cathedral. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m., Sunday at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 John F. Kennedy Road where a wake service will begin at 7 p.m.

Loretta was born on February 23, 1928 to Earl and Jovita (Kennedy) Williams. She attended St. Raphael’s and St. Joseph’s schools. Before staying home to care for her family, she worked at the Licorice Factory, Battery Factory, North Home (Flexsteel) and the Dubuque Packing Company.

On November 18, 1950 she married the love of her life, William “Bill” Wittstock at St. Raphael’s Cathedral, Dubuque. They were blessed with 65 years of marriage before Bill passed on December 6, 2015.

Loretta was a wonderful mother and grandmother whose family enjoyed her cooking, especially her chili, meatloaf, baked beans, banana oatmeal cookies and macaroni and potato salads. She had an unmatched wit and spunk and was the heart of the family.

She enjoyed going to the casino and yearly vacations with her family, shopping and donating her purchases to local organizations and families in need. But more than anything, she enjoyed the company of her family and going to Saturday night mass and dinner with them.

Those left to cherish her memory include her five children, Sharon Lowe, David Wittstock, Wayne Wittstock, Tim (Kim) Wittstock, and Deanne (Joe) Roussel; grandchildren, Jennifer (Brian) Neises, Michelle (Tony) Zurcher, Angela (Darby) Young, Jon (Cassie) Lowe, Brian Lowe, Krista (A.J.) Ligeralde, Lindsey (Adam) Riegler, and Nicole Wittstock; great-grandchildren, Logan, Jesse, Peyton, Christian, Morgan, Carson, Joseph, Felicity, Audrey, Amelia, Alan, Zelda, and Jackson. She is also survived by sisters in law and brothers in law, Ruth Ballinger, Lorraine Hirsch, Dick and Rosalie Hirsch, Mary Loes, Bob Hirsch, Lois and Alan Jones, Ronald Hirsch, Tom and Carol Hirsch; and many nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded by her son-in-law, Paul Lowe; daughter-in-law. Donna Wittstock; grandsons, Jeff Wittstock and Matthew Wittstock; sister, Jean Williams; sister and brother-in-law, Mary (Pete) Charley; and in- laws, Jack Hirsch, Dorothy McNinch, Sandy Kaesbauer, Donny Joe Hirsch, Don Ballinger, Jenny Hirsch and Jerry Loes.

The family wishes to thank all of the doctors, nurses and caregivers who took care of mom in these last months, especially Dana and Amanda.

Donald F. Wiederholt

Donald F. Wiederholt, 83, of Dubuque, passed away suddenly on Thursday, January 18, while attending Mass with his brother.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, January 22, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Rev. Dwayne Thoman will officiate. Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, January 21, at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 3860 Asbury Rd., Dubuque, where there will be a prayer service at 6:30 p.m.

Donald was born December 12, 1934 in Dubuque, the son of Francis and Margaret (Ludwig) Wiederholt. He graduated from Loras Academy with the class of 1952, and attended the University of Dubuque. Donald married Dolores Hayes on June 25, 1955 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Dubuque.

He was employed for 30 years at Celotex Corp., including 3 years as a Production Supervisor at the Louisiana plant. Upon retirement, he and Dolores returned to Dubuque, where he worked at the City Water Department for 11 years. After retiring from the Water Dept., Donald immediately volunteered with the City Park Department, where he then became employed after a year, and finally retired after another 13 years.

Donald was an avid fisherman, enjoying many family fishing trips, and especially “Fishy Fridays” with his grandson, Aaron. He was a talented gardener whose landscaping was admired by all who saw it. His faith was very important to him, and he attended daily Mass with his brother Robert, served Mass, and whistled hymns on a regular basis. His grandchildren greatly enjoyed his elaborate train layout.

Donald is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dolores; his children, Diane Wiederholt of Bettendorf, Desiree Miklusicak of Sun Prairie, WI, Doreen (Dave Bakey) Wiederholt of Dubuque, Delphine (David) Bergfeld of Epworth, and Donita (Tim) Remy of Park View, IA; grandchildren Holly (Cory) Anderson, Morgan Covarrubias, Jennifer (Wesley) Schilling, Aaron Grable, Debra (Joseph) Maxwell, Emily (Scott) Belloma, Michael (Brooke) Bergfeld, Matthew Remy, and Elizabeth Remy; great-grandchildren Katelyn and Cyril Anderson, Isaiah Covarrubias, Ava and Brayden Schilling, Madeline and Easton Maxwell, Emma and Bennett Belloma, and Hudson Bergfeld; brothers Robert (Donna) Wiederholt and Gerald (Sue) Wiederholt, both of Dubuque; and brothers-in-law, Ronald Hayes of Plaistow, NH, and Thomas (Suzanne) Hayes of Muskegon, MI; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his great-granddaughter Myianna Miklusicak; his brother, Floyd (Mary) Wiederholt; his parents-in-law Carl and Mary Ann Hayes; his brother-in-law Earl (Jean) Hayes; and his sister-in-law Shirley Hayes.

Memorials may be made to the family for later donation to Donald’s favorite charities.

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

Marion Kjornes Mulligan

Marion Kjornes Mulligan, 96, of Dubuque passed away Monday, January 15, 2018.

Friends may greet the family from 1:00pm-4:00 pm on Sunday, January 21 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Cremation Service 3860 Asbury Rd. The funeral mass will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church 1870 Saint Ambrose St. at 10:00 am on Monday, January 22 conducted by Rev. Steven Rosonke. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery.

Marion was born September 4, 1921 in Janesville, Wisconsin daughter of Engebret Eivindsen and Gudrun Margrethe Dalen (Simensen) Kjornes. On November 28, 1942 she married her high school sweetheart James F. Mulligan at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Janesville. Jim passed away in 2013 after 70 years of marriage. They were blessed with 2 sons, 5 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

Following graduation Marion worked at Parker Pen in Janesville during WWII, traveled with Jim while he was in the US Army Air Corp, moved to Dubuque when Jim began his career with John Deere. She also lived in Monterrey, Mexico for 3 years while Jim was on assignment for Deere there.

While they lived in Dubuque Marion enjoyed bowling, Swing Club at Bunker Hill, bridge with the ladies, volunteering at “Thing and Things” Catholic gift shop, sewing, quilting, cross stitch, embroidering and furnishing her dollhouse. Marion was a loyal Cub’s fan and rarely missed watching a game.

After retirement Marion and Jim enjoyed being Snowbirds spending time in Arizona, Florida and Texas where they met many treasured friends. Marion was an avid reader especially enjoying biographies and current affairs. She was always interested in new things from computers, to cameras, to cell phones. She enjoyed writing and receiving e-mails from friends and family into her 96th year.

Marion was always very involved in her family’s lives and tried to attend events from birthdays to school music programs to sports. She especially liked to play board games and card games, read, and color with the grandkids and great-grandkids. Marion will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her. We were so blessed to have her in our lives so many years. She was such a gracious, kind, and caring person.

Those left to cherish her memory are her two sons Michael (Ann) of Dubuque and Patrick (Sarah) of Iowa City; grandchildren, Dan (Kelly) Mulligan of Dubuque and their children Eli and Jacob; Brian (Jody) Mulligan and their daughter Emmy of Salt Lake City, Utah; Lucie, Felix, and Henry Mulligan all of Minneapolis, Minnesota; siblings, Carrie (Dwayne) Rose of Janesville and Sonja Dowdy of Laguna Hills, California; in-laws Bernie Stewart of Libertyville, Illinois and June Kjornes of Janesville; and many very special nieces and nephews.

Marion was preceded in death by her sisters; Ruth Stewart, Eleanor Schultis, Betty Oertel Delitz and brothers; Gerald, Donald, Edwin, and Tom Kjornes, and in-laws; Donna Kjornes, Mary Ann Kjornes Treichel, Priscilla Kjornes, Catherine Kingsley, Larry Oertel, Red Delitz, Lynn Dowdy, and Ralph Kingsley.

Memorials in Marion’s memory may be made to Hospice of Dubuque, St. Anthony’s Church, Wahlert High School, Ennoble Manor Care Center, or as desired.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Ennoble Manor for the care and kindness Marion received while there for rehab and skilled nursing. They would also like to thank the staffs at Dubuque Internal Medicine and Unity Point Health-Finley Hospital for the care they provided to Marion.

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

Mary Lea Braem

Mary Lea Braem, age 71, of Hazel Green, WI, was called home suddenly at 4:29 p.m., on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at home. To honor Mary Lea’s life, funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, January 22, 2018, at St. Patrick’s Church, 1425 Iowa Street, with Msgr. Thomas E. Toale officiating. To celebrate Mary Lea’s life, family and friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., on Monday, January 22, 2018, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Mary Lea was born on July 12, 1946, in Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of Leo C. and Euphemia (Lammer) McCarthy.

Mary Lea obtained her early education at St. Patrick’s Grade School, graduated from Wahlert High School, and then went on to the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, and finally the University of Dubuque, where she eventually earned her BSN. Mary Lea was united in marriage to the love of her life, Curtis Braem, on September 1, 1972, at St. Patrick’s Church in Dubuque. They were blessed with 33 wonderful years together, and a truly adored son, before Curtis was sadly called home ahead of her on November 3, 2005. Mary Lea had a kind heart, and a caring nature, which served her well in her chosen profession of nursing. She invested many years of her career working in Chicago, Illinois and Bay, Indiana, before returning back to Iowa and graciously sharing her time and talents at Mercy and Xavier Hospitals, Dubuque Oral Surgeons, and also at the University of Iowa, before her eventual retirement. Mary Lea was undeniably a very active woman who thoroughly enjoyed a nice walk under the afternoon sun, or even a relaxing day of baiting her hook while waiting patiently for the catch of the day. But, where Mary Lea continually discovered true joy was in the moments where she was surrounded by her family. Her devotion and love for family and friends were routinely on display and if you held a special place in Mary Lea’s heart, you could be sure she would always be there to remind you that it was so. We are absolutely broken hearted today with the sudden absence of Mary Lea from our earthly lives. The memories, lessons and love she leaves behind will be treasured by all who knew and loved Mary Lea and we pray that Mary Lea and Curtis’ heavenly reunion is one of boundless joy. Thank you Mary Lea for diligently trying to make the world a better place during your 71 year journey and please know that we will miss you deeply until we meet again.

Those left to cherish Mary Lea’s memory include

her son,
Levi (Danielle) Braem, North Liberty, IA;

her 2 grandchildren,
Mason and Madison Braem;

her siblings,
Rose (Mark) Flaspohler, Story City, IA,
Dennis (Suzanne) McCarthy, Dubuque, IA
and Roger (Ann) McCarthy, St. Charles, MO;

her special friend,
Trish (Bill) Folger, Dubuque, IA.

and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Mary Lea was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Curtis Braem; and a sister, Carol McCarthy in infancy.

A Mary Lea Braem memorial fund has been established, which will be distributed among her favorite charities.

Mary Lea’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the Hazel Green 1st Responders, the Grant County Sheriff’s Department, and the Grant County Coroner for all of their professional and compassionate care during this difficult time.

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