Donald L. Messelhiser, age 75, of Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 6:20 p.m., on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at ManorCare Health Services, surrounded by his loving family. To honor Don’s life, funeral services will be held at 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, October 25, 2018, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, with Rev. Mitchel Terry officiating. To celebrate Don’s life, family and friends may visit from 4:00 p.m., until the time of services at 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, October 25, 2018, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.

Don was born on January 5, 1943, in Abeline, Texas, son of Donald D. and Florence (Stephensen) Messelhiser.

Don was born in Texas before moving to LaMars, Iowa, where he would spend his childhood. He was a hard worker and devoted his time and talents in the construction industry for several years, before his well earned retirement. Don was always a morning person, up at the crack of dawn, to join his friends at Hardee’s or McDonald’s, to catch up on the latest gossip and solve all of the world’s problems. Don was a people person to his very core, and loved to sit and talk with family and friends, but was always happy to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and make their day a bit brighter. In his younger days, Don was a talented musician who loved to sit and play his guitar. He enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors and was an avid walker, his favorite walk being over the Julien Dubuque bridge, where he could enjoy watching the river roll by, as well as the cars and boaters passing by. He also enjoyed going to the dog track and casino, not to play, but just to watch others try their luck and root them on. Don was a kind hearted, generous man who was lucky enough not only to have 2 sons, but to find a soul-mate, Jimmie Miller, to share his life with, and he would accept and love her family as his own for over 38 years. Our hearts are broken today at the loss of such a wonderful man, but we take some comfort in the fact that Don is now free of the health issues he has faced with such courage, and is now resting in eternal peace.

Those left to cherish Don’s memory include

his sons,
Rick L. Messelhiser
and Timothy J. (Barbara) Messelhiser, both of LaMars, IA;

his 3 grandchildren,
Stephen D. Messelhiser, Sioux Falls, SD,
BradLee J. (Ariana) Messelhiser
and Randall J. Messelhiser, both of Remsen, IA;

his 6 great-grandchildren;

his sister,
Connie (Darby) Anderson, Blair, NE;

a special friend of 38 years and her family,
Jimmie Miller, Dubuque, IA;

a close family friend,
Neva “Aunt Mae” Maus, Dubuque, IA;

and several nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters, Sherry and Dorothy; and his best friend, Richard Maus and his son “Mickey” Maus.

Don’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Manorcare and Hospice of Dubuque, for all of their professional, compassionate and attentive care of Don.

Memorials will be accepted by the family to be distributed among Don’s favorite charities.

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