Vincent Anthony Dolphin, 85,  of Cascade, Iowa, left this earthly home and took off for heaven on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at Unity Point Finley Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa.

Visitation for Vince will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., Monday, December 27, 2021 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, Iowa.  Visitation will also be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Cascade.

Mass of Christian burial for Vince will be held at 11 a.m. with Rev. Mark Osterhaus presiding.  Burial will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Cascade, Iowa.

Vincent was born June 13, 1936, in Cascade, Iowa, son of Harland and Mary B. “Mae” (Devine) Dolphin.  He was a graduate of St. Martin’s High School in Cascade, where he excelled in Basketball.  His attendance at Loras College was interrupted by his father’s death and he moved back home to help support his mother and sisters. He then drove truck many years for Dahlem Feed Co. Vince was united in marriage to Alyce Orehovec on December 13, 1980 at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Church in Valley Fall, KS.  They met through the Dominic Club, a midwestern Catholic singles group. Although he moved from his mother’s house he remained a faithful support to her through her old age and in her last years of disability cared for her at his home.

He was a devoted husband and father, with a most gentle, loving and kindly spirit. He was soft hearted, non judgemental and had a good sense of humor. One cousin said he never heard him utter a cuss word and if Vince didn’t get to heaven then heaven didn’t exist. I personally never saw him lose his temper. (I, his wife).

He loved adventure, travel, nature, and music; the Hawkeyes and the Braves (go Braves!).  One of his favorite pastimes was playing catch with Amy, his daughter in the back yard and attending her piano performances. After adjusting from life as a bachelor to marriage and fatherhood, he was always there for Amy.  His most ardent care was to love and serve God.

Vince worked as medications aide at Julien Care Facility (later DAC and Hillcrest) for over 20 years and was loved by many there.  He brought music and music appreciation to the residents and was appreciated for it. He ran for State Senate, something he always wanted to do.

He was a faithful lifelong member of St. Matthias Parish in Cascade, Iowa and actively involved in music ministry until the end. He was a singer with a beautiful, angelic voice. He sang every Thursday morning with the Sunshine Group at Shady Rest after retirement until Covid prevented outside activities there.  In fact, we played John Denver songs a couple of hours before his death in his hospital room and he sang along to numerous songs with as great enthusiasm as he could muster.

He is survived by his wife, Alyce Dolphin of Cascade, IA; one daughter Amy Dolphin of Indianapolis, IN; one sister, Bernadette “Bridgitte” Dunigan of Dubuque, IA; sister-in-law, Mary Jo Kearns of Valley Falls, KS; brother-in-law, Gary Orehovec of Portland, OR. and beloved nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; one sister; Jane Evers of Dyersville, IA; and three brothers-in-law, Gary Evers, Jim Dunigan, Terry Kearns. and nephew Scott Evers.

We express our gratitude and love to all friends and family for their heartfelt condolences, and to all Doctors, Nurses and staff at Unity Health and Finley who cared for Vince.  We do truly appreciate your dedication, hard work, tolerance, expertise and care.  Special thanks to Cascade Ambulance crew, Fr. Mark Osterhaus, and chaplain, Claudia.  After a little research, I found and  read what Vince wrote in his mother’s end of life story it turns out she too had a similar issue in her last days.  He wrote   “..she didn’t die willingly either. She fought death right to the end.”  And so did Vince.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com