Richard "Dick" Polfer, 86 of Peosta passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family May 9, 2024.

A Visitation for Richard will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday May 13, 2024, at Reiff Funeral Home, 894 Peosta Street, Peosta, Iowa 52068.  A visitation will also be held after 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the Funeral Home in Peosta.

Services for Richard will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Peosta, Iowa with Msgr. Daniel Knepper presiding.  Burial will be held in St. Paul's Cemetery in Worthington, Iowa, with full military honors afforded by the Dyersville American Legion Post #137.

Dick was born December 6, 1937, in Cascade, Iowa, the son of Nicholas and Veronica (Kelchen) Polfer.  On October 22, 1960, he was united in marriage to Jean Leyendecker at Saint Paul's Catholic Church, Worthington, Iowa.  Dick was employed at Tschiggfrie in Dubuque, Iowa for 30 years.  He also worked for Tegeler's Body Shop, Nickol Construction, Royal Oaks, and Murphy Construction.

Dick enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, he loved to play cards and talk, Dick was often seen along with Jean enjoying a baseball game at one of the local ball fields. They say if you find a career you truly enjoy, you'll never work a day in your life. Dick had found his passion in the dirt and continued to do what he loved, passing along his experience and knowledge with Royal Oaks and Murphy Construction even after his retirement from Tschiggfrie Excavating in 2000. He spent a lot of time in his later years crafting his hand made wooden toys. Dick had a strong faith and would pray his rosary nightly.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Parish in Peosta, Iowa.  Dick served in the U.S. Army from 1961-1963.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jean, six children, Deb (Matt) Harthan of Ventura, Iowa, Eileen Hines of Chandler,  AZ, Al (Joyce) Polfer of Farley, IA, Bob (Kathy) Polfer of Worthington, IA, Brian (Dani) Polfer of Muskego, WI, Jeff Polfer (fiancé Jennifer Lewin) of Worthington, IA; his 10 grandchildren, Brandon Harthan, Blake Hines, Brianna Floyd, Stefani Puccio, Allen Polfer, Nicole Polfer, Samantha White, Zach Polfer, Kaley Polfer & Savanna Lehman; six step-grandchildren, Alex Hassforth, Abbi Hassforth, Jon Combs, Ethan Combs, Dallas Elmer, and Charlee Elmer; 11 great grandchildren; his two sisters, Patricia Tauke of Cascade, IA, Janet Funke of Dyersville, IA; and brother Chas (Mary Jane) Polfer of The Villages, FL; his in-laws, Marge Gassmann, Judy Lammers, Linda (Dave) Burger, Steve (Christa) Leyendecker, Mary Leyendecker, Rick (Karla) Leyendecker, and Kathy (Pat) Hayes.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nick & Veronica Polfer, mother-in-law Irene (Leyendecker) Till & father-in-law, Silvarius Leyendecker; a son-in-law, Paul Hines; a granddaughter Kaitlyn Polfer; a step grandson, Max Hassforth; a sister, Mary Ann Jaeger; brothers-in-law, Bill Jaeger, Wayne Tauke, Floyd Funke, LeRoy Gassmann, Jerry Lammers, and Nick Wolfe; and sister-in-law Rose Wolfe; and two nephews, Jeff Jaeger and Jeff Lammers.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque for all the care and support given to Dick and our family.

A video tribute may be viewed, and online condolences sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com