Donald J. Wolf, age 87, of Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 7:58 p.m., on Friday, December 14, 2018, at Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque, surrounded by his loving family. To honor Don’s life, funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 468 Balltown Road, with Rev. Noah J. Diehm officiating. To celebrate Don’s life, family and friends may visit from 2:00 p.m., until 8:00 p.m., on Monday, December 17, 2018, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Balltown, Iowa, where there will be a parish scripture service held at 1:30 p.m. Family and friends may also visit from 9:15 a.m. until 10:15 a.m., on Tuesday at the Church. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery. Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street is in charge of arrangements.

Don was born on January 24, 1931, in Rickardsville, Iowa, son of John and Clara (Wilwert) Wolf.

Don graduated high school and went on to honorably serve his country with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was raised on the family farm, so he was no stranger to hard work, and eventually purchased his own property in Balltown, where he happily farmed for several years. He was united in marriage to Dolores Juran on June 30, 1954, at Immaculate Conception Church in North Buena Vista, Iowa, and the two were blessed with 48 years together and 6 adored children, before Dolores was sadly called home ahead of him on March 21, 2003. Fortunately for Don, he would eventually find love once again, and was united in marriage to Dorothy (Kress) Lahey, on December 30, 2005, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Balltown, and the two would lovingly blend their families into one big happy group. Don was a very active man and was a member of several organizations including the Farley Knights of Columbus, the American Legion Farley Post #0656, the Rickardsville Forresters, St. Francis of Assisi Church and the Retired Senior League Bowling group. Bowling was definitely Don’s passion, he bowled in 3 leagues during the winter time and 2 leagues in the summer, always shooting for that perfect 300, which he proudly attained. Don enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors, and always looked forward to heading out to his favorite fishing hole to cast a line in hopes of catching “the big one”, earning him bragging rights for the rest of the day. Family, was beyond a doubt, the most important aspect of Don’s life, and he cherished all of the time he spent with them, especially looking forward to the family gatherings that brought everyone together to create wonderful memories. We are deeply saddened today as we must say goodbye to Don for now, but look forward to the day we are all reunited in Heaven at the greatest family reunion ever held.

Those left to cherish Don’s memory include

his loving wife,
Dorothy Wolf, Dubuque, IA;

his children,
Cathy (Mark) Dupont, Balltown, IA,
Randy (Lisa) Wolf, Dallas Center, IA,
Jeanie Delaney, Dubuque, IA,
Joan (Bob) Dupont, Dubuque, IA,
Lorie (Jim) Schmitt, Sherrill, IA
and Connie (Brian) Feldman, Sherrill, IA;

his bonus step-children,
Francis (Lori) Lahey, Sherrill, IA,
Tina (Steve) Hefel, Madison, WI,
Tim (Amy) Lahey, Sherrill, IA,
Theresa (Scott) Ostwinkle, Farley, IA,
Greg (Trish) Lahey,
Ed (Megan) Lahey
and Tony (Jody) Lahey, all of Sherrill, IA;

17 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren;

21 bonus step-grandchildren;

his bonus step-son-in-law,
Wayne LaVigne, Chicago, IL;

his siblings,
Mary (Don) Brimeyer, Dubuque, IA,
Melita (Lyal) Pfeiler, Rickardsville, IA,
Leon (Rosie) Wolf, Rickardsville, IA,
Alice Cook, Bernard, IA
and Carolyn (Jim) Pimlott, Cedar Rapids, IA;

and his in-laws,
Herman Kloser, Dubuque, IA,
Virginia Juran, Holy Cross, IA,
Anna Mae Welter, Dubuque, IA,
Paul Kress, Dubuque, IA,
Norbert (Shirley) Kress, Zwingle, IA,
Leo (Betty) Kress, Sherrill, IA,
Jim (Janet) Kress, Sherrill, IA
and Arthur “A.J.” (Cindy) Kress, Dubuque, IA.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his 1st wife, Dolores Wolf; his bonus step-daughter, Monica LaVigne; his siblings, Francis Wolf and Marvin Wolf; and his in-laws, Robert (Donna) Juran, William Juran, Rosie (Glen “Bud”) Gibbs, Madonna (Fritz) Roling, Tony Juran, Ralph Welter, Dale Cook, Frances Kress and Mathilda “Tillie” Kloser.

Don’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the 2nd Floor Cardiac Unit of Mercy Hospital for all of their kind and compassionate care of Don and his entire family.

Memorials will be accepted by the family to be distributed among his favorite charities.

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