Rick J. Kearney, 57, of Dubuque Iowa, passed away unexpectedly September 29, 2023, in Dubuque.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2395 Rockdale Road where a family wake service will be at 2:45 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 13, 2023, at St. Joseph Key West Church with Msgr. Thomas Toale officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Rick was born on June 24, 1966, in Dubuque, son of Allan Kearney and Margaret (Kedley) Kennedy.  He was a 1985 graduate of Dubuque Senior High School.  He married the love of his life Lisa Ruden on May 21, 1988, in Zwingle, IA. Rick was employed as a route salesman for Frito Lay for 36 years.

He loved being outdoors, spending his time hunting, fishing, and camping whenever possible.  Rick was an avid St Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, and Iowa Hawkeye fan.  He passed his love of old black and white western TV shows on to his boys.  Rick and Lisa were known for spending their time riding their Harley with friends & family exploring new places.  Rick was a friend to all that met him and could always be counted on to lend a helping hand.  More than anything, Rick was a family man putting his family above all else.  He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Rick is survived by his wife of 35 years Lisa and their sons Cole Kearney and Dylan (Morgan) Kearney of Dubuque, his parents Allan (Vickie) Kearney and Margaret Kennedy of Dubuque, brothers Bob (Brenda) Kearney of Indiana, Roger Kearney, sisters Theresa (Dan) Kass, Stacey (Kenny) Schrader, Jessica Ehlers, in-laws Nick (Paula) Ruden, Diane Freiburger, Joe Ruden, Gary (Karen) Ruden, Tom Ruden, Mark (Chris) Ruden, Karen (Jeff) Jones, and Phil (Lacey) Ruden, as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father in-law Francis and Elinor Ruden, brother in-law Larry Freiburger, and grandparents Donald and Marian Kearney and Paul and Hilda Kedley.

In lieu of flowers, a Rick J. Kearney Memorial Fund has been established.

The family would like to thank Dubuque Fire Paramedics and the emergency room staff of MercyOne Dubuque for their care and kindness during this difficult time.