Michael R. Pickel, 71, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away on December 3rd, 2023 at home.

Family and friends may gather from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 7th, 2023 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road where a sharing service will be at 6:00 p.m. Please dress casual or wear your favorite sports team apparel.

Michael Ray Pickel was born to Ernest and Elnora (Ingles) Pickel on January 8th, 1952, in Dubuque, Iowa. He graduated from Dubuque Senior High School, and lived in Dubuque his whole life. Mike worked hard to provide for his family, including over 17 years at Dubuque Packing Company and at Inland Protein before he retired.

Mike married Sharyn Von Ah on April 22, 1978 and gained a son, Jeremiah, whom he loved and raised like his own. Their daughter, Kara joined the family 3 years later. He loved listening to music, and he could often be found singing random songs and dancing in the kitchen. There weren’t many phrases that were safe from Mike turning into a song.

Family was most important to Mike, and he loved spending time with them. He considered his family among his best of friends, and he was a loyal friend to many. He was a not-so-loyal fan of the Packers and the Hawkeyes, usually acting as the armchair coach for both teams.

Mike was at his happiest enjoying the outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish; something he tried to share with his kids and grandkids. He took pride in his pristine yard and spent hours in the garden. As a self-proclaimed professional euchre player, he could be found criticizing euchre partners in many leagues around Dubuque.

He is survived by his wife, Sharyn, his kids Jeremiah Shaw (Susan McLaury) of Oelwein, Kara (Andy) Schroeder of Dubuque, and grandchildren Taylor and Jackson Shaw (Jacquelyn Sheets), Grace and Charles Schroeder. He is also survived by siblings Connie (Roger) Ruden, Karen Kress (Terry Shireman), Randy (Dianne) Pickel, Lynnette Hinkel, Lisa (Chris) Duhamel and sisters and brothers-in-law Sheila Staten, Rhonda Dunbar, Tari Beeler, Gary (Laura) Von Ah, Coleen Givens, Rick (Julia) Von Ah, Lori (Matt) Goedken, and Dave (Laurie) Von Ah, his godfather, Lawrence (Dena) Pickel and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Elnora Pickel, brother Ricky Pickel, brother-in-law Daniel Hinkel, parents-in-law Robert and Norma Von Ah, sister-in-law Marilyn Jurisic, brothers-in-law Jack Dunbar, Dennis Staten, Fred Beeler, Dennis Givens, and Larry Biggs.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established.