Owen Nugent, 89, of Dubuque, Iowa, was reunited with his wife, Mary, in heaven on January 30, 2025 at Stonehill Care Center in Dubuque.

Friends and family may visit from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday February 3, 2025 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road. A Wake Service will be held at 3:45 p.m. with Deacon David Roth officiating.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday February 4, 2025 at the Church of the Nativity with Rev. Stephen Audu officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Dubuque.

Owen was born on July 8, 1935, in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin, son of Clarence and Helen (Crane) Nugent. He honorably served in the United States Army in 1957 – 1958. Owen worked as a machinist at John Deere Dubuque Works.  Owen was a life long member of Nativity parish and was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus.

Owen was a man of strong will, yet he had the gentlest heart. He always knew how to make his granddaughters giggle, whether on purpose or by happy accident. We affectionately referred to him as the “Mayor of Dubuque” because of his countless friendships and the endless stream of folks who would stop him to say hello in public.

He taught us the importance of standing up for what’s right and defending those who are vulnerable. He was dedicated to his community and was always doing his part to help others; whether it was painting the fire escape at the Shalom Spirituality Center operated by the Sisters of St. Francis, or volunteering at the Washington Neighborhood Tool Library.

Despite being 77-years-old when he got his first iPad, he didn’t let technology scare him. He loved to FaceTime Maureen and his granddaughters, and did so often. He also loved Facebook and Instagram and was always scrolling to keep up-to-date on his friends and family.

Owen always knew how to enjoy life to the fullest, whether through a quality round of golf with his friends, a ribeye steak on the backyard grill, a leisurely bike ride on the Heritage Trail bike path, or rooting for his favorite football teams the Fighting Irish and the Packers. He knew how to whip up the best batch of chocolate fudge or malted milkshakes.

We will miss him dearly but are happy to know that he is reunited with Mary, and his son, Mike. One of the last things our mom told him was, “I’ll see you soon” and like most things, she was right.  If there is a Euchre game, place to fish, or a beautiful yard to fuss over in heaven, we are certain he has found them.

Owen is survived by his children, Maureen (Steve) Knostman of Dublin, OH, and Patrick Nugent of Epworth; his granddaughters, Madeline Rose Knostman of Marysville, OH, and Colleen Lily Knostman of New York, NY; brother Dean (Mary) Nugent of Holmen, WI, sister Colleen Nugent of LaCrosse, WI, brother-in-law Bob Benish of La Crosse, WI, sister-in-law Helen Feyen of Dubuque, and many, many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Helen Nugent; his wife, Mary; his son, Michael Nugent. Brothers Clarence Nugent, Bernard Nugent, and Larry Nugent, and sisters Lois Flynn, Phyllis Benish, and Mary Anita Thiele.  Brothers-in-law Laddie Flynn, Dennis Thiele, Jerome Meyer, Donald Conlon, Walt Wedewer, David Kupferschmidt, and Bill Feyen; and sisters-in-law June Nugent, Bernice Meyer, Dorothy Kupferschmidt, Anna Mae Conlon, and Mildred Wedewer.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Stone Hill Nursing Home and Hospice of Dubuque for their loving and compassionate care.  Memorials may be directed to the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque, Iowa, or the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in Owen’s memory.