Orval M. Fleckenstein, 93, of Dubuque, passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Stonehill Communities where he resided for the past 16 years.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., then followed by Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, May 17, 2024, at Church of the Resurrection, 4300 Asbury Rd., Dubuque, IA. Rev. Dustin Vu will officiate. Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Asbury.

Orval was born September 29, 1930, in Dubuque, the son of Ralph and Marie (Rueter) Fleckenstein. He married Mary Donnelly on October 8, 1955, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Dubuque. She preceded him in death on November 9, 2007.

Orval graduated from Loras Academy and was ranked as one of the best basketball players in the state. In 1948 he was All-State Boys Basketball Selection 5th Team. He also received an All-Tournament Second Team.

He was last employed for many years in sales with Banworth & Udelhoven. He enjoyed working with all his customers and had wonderful memories of his years there. He worked to sacrificially give his children a private faith-based education. He was a member of the Church of the Resurrection. As a man of faith, he prayed daily for his family and saw many prayers answered including his personal prayer that the Lord wouldn’t take him during football season!

Orval was indeed a family man. Weekends were reserved for Sunday family meals with his parents, family picnics with basketball and baseball lessons and also winter sleigh-riding. He enjoyed watching many sports on TV. He was known to be an advocate for his children, frequently calling out the refs for missed calls at their sporting events. He was a Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers fan. He had recently switched his football support to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Orval’s Reese’s peanut butter cups, his wife’s daily homemade desserts, Suzy Q cakes (really chocolate in any form, at any time, on every occasion), daily cigars, big band music and US history books were just a few of life’s little pleasures he enjoyed.

He taught the importance of paying it forward. Share your gifts. Bless others with what you have. He always supported his church and routinely gave to many organizations for the poor and disadvantaged. His family has carried on these traditions. A truly humble and loving man, Orval will be greatly missed but his legacy will continue to live on through the seeds he sowed in his family lineage.

Orval is survived by his children, Mary Jo (Dave) Ayers, of Dubuque, Kathleen (Rod) Smith of New Castle, PA, Joe (Karen) Fleckenstein, of Peosta, Tom Fleckenstein, of Dubuque, David Fleckenstein, of Haslet, TX, and Anne (Michael) Burke, of Cortland, IL; 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren with one due in August, 1 step grandson, and 2 step great-great grandchildren, his sister, Mary Ann Clemens and sisters in law Louise Donnelly & Julie Donnelly.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Ray (Helene) Fleckenstein and Jim Fleckenstein, brother in laws William Donnelly Jr and Jim Donnelly, and a nephew William Donnelly III.

Memorials may be given to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, Stonehill Care Center, Dubuque County Right to Life or Hospice of Dubuque.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Chris Stille, Assisi Village Staff, Stonehill 2SE Staff and Hospice of Dubuque for the kind, compassionate care they gave to Dad.