Donald W. “Don” Lau, 94, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away peacefully at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at Ennoble Nursing and Rehab in Dubuque. Friends may call from 9:00-10:45 a.m. on Monday February 3, 2025 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1755 Delhi St. in Dubuque. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am at the church. Pastor Jason Davis will officiate. Click here to view the livestream of the funeral service for Donald Lau: https://vimeo.com/event/4876737. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Don was born November 8, 1930 in Shelbina, Missouri, son of Roland and Mabel (Crandal) Lau and was raised in Cedar Falls, IA. He was a graduate of Cedar Falls High School, class of 1948. Don married Ellen (Donovan) Crane on March 30, 1978 in Dubuque.

Don worked at Kiowa Corp. in Marshalltown, IA as a tool and die designer from 1950-1956. Then he was employed at Amana Refrigeration in Middle Amana, IA as a layout draftsman and drafting checker from 1956-1962. Upon moving to Dubuque in 1962, Don worked at John Deere Dubuque Works as a senior tractor designer until 1984. He was a member of the design team for the first JD544 and JD644 four wheel drive front end loaders.

After retirement, Don worked for 19 years at Sundown Mountain in Dubuque as a ski instructor on the A Team.

Don was a member of Dubuque Rifle and Pistol Club since 1966. Don founded the Thursday Morning John Deere Retiree Golf League at Lacoma in 1987 and remained an active member for 30 years. In his younger years his leisure activities were hunting, fishing, bowling, golfing and photography. He enjoyed having weekly coffee and conversation with his retiree friends. Don loved traveling with his wife, Ellen. He especially enjoyed Hawaii, ski trips out West and the National Parks. He found joy in spending time with his family, especially at the many cherished holidays hosted by his daughter Marianne. Don was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church since 1990.

Survivors include his loving wife of 46 years, Ellen Lau; his three children: Marianne (Thomas) Lytle, David (Susan) Lau and Karen Lau, all of Dubuque; his four granddaughters: Lindsay (Jesse) Drew, Abbey (Brad Van Weelden) Lytle and Stephanie (Adam) Aleshire, all of the Des Moines area, and Ashley Lau (fiance Matt Lester) of Dubuque; six great-grandchildren: Eva, Presley, Waylon, Landry, Willow and Odin; his nephew Mark (Jamie) Lau of Kerrville, TX, his niece Ann (Gregg) Hatch of Orem, UT and nephew Dan Lau; his sister-in-law Ann Donovan Panek and her children Robert Panek, Annette Dee, Lisa Francese, Melinda Panek and David Panek all of Southern California.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his dear brother Dale Lau and his sister-in-law Carol J. Lau of Green Valley, AZ.

The family would like to thank the staff of Ennoble Nursing and Rehab, Don’s Hospice of Dubuque nurses Diane and Jamie, Don’s long-time Doctor, Brian Sullivan, and also Don’s many friends at Oak Park Place.

In lieu of flowers or plants, a Donald Lau Memorial Fund has been established.

Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family.

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