Donald F. Droeszler, 83, of Bernard, Iowa died Friday, January 6, 2017 at 11:17 a.m. at Stonehill Care Center in Dubuque, Iowa.
Friends and relatives of Don may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday, January 9, 2017 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, Iowa, where a wake service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friends may also call after 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Funeral Home.
Services for Don will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Garryowen, Iowa with Rev. Douglas Loecke officiating. Burial will be held in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Garryowen with full military honors afforded by the Cascade American Legion Post #528.
Donald was born May 27, 1933 in Kieler, Wisconsin, son of Ralph and Imelda (Kaiser) Droeszler. On September 2, 1957 he was united in marriage to Grace M. Koopmann at St. John's Catholic Church in Placid, Iowa. He was employed at the former Dubuque Packing Company, and later farmed in the Bernard area. He was also a Jacque's seed dealer.
He enjoyed woodworking especially with his grandchildren and loved socializing with many people.
He was a member of St. Patrick's Parish in Garryowen, he also served on its Cemetery Board, and was care taker of the parish cemetery for many years. He also served as the Butler Township Trustee, he served on the Jackson County Pioneer Cemetery Commission. He was a member of the Cascade American Legion Post #528, and the Knights of Columbus St. Thomas Aquines Council #930.
He is an Army veteran having served as a Combat Engineer from 1954-1956 in Germany.
He is survived by his wife, Grace Droeszler of Bernard, IA; six children, Jolene Kundert of Monroe, WI, Elaine (Kevin) Johnson of Cascade, IA, Donna (Mike) Weber of Bernard, IA, Duane (Amy) Droeszler of Cascade, IA, Mark (Lisa) Droeszler and Denise Droeszler both of Bernard, IA; 12 grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; five sisters, Kay (Harlan) Doty of Dubuque, IA, Shirley (Darrell) Goetzinger of Marion, IA, Helen (Merlin) Theisen of LaMotte, IA, Patricia (Al) Chamberlain of Anamosa, IA, and Mary (Frank) Klaas of Holmen, WI; a brother-in-law, Donnie Ambrosy of Arizona; and 2 sisters-in-law, Rosie Koopmann of Delhi, IA and Jean Oberfoell of Epworth, IA.
He is preceded in death by his parents; one son, Gerald J. Droeszler on July 16, 1977; a son-in-law, Daniel Kundert; 2 sisters, Janice Ambrosy and LuMae Cavanaugh; brothers and sisters-in-law Loras Cavanaugh, Bernice and Bernard Kramer, Inez and Ronnie Silker, Melita and Roy Ross, Donald and Margaret Koopmann, John Koopmann, Elmer Koopmann and Francis"Ducky" Oberfoell.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Stonehill Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com