Raymond L. Breitsprecker Sr., 79, of Dubuque, passed away Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014 at home surrounded by his family.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 24 at Holy Spirit Parish, Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 3-8 p.m., Tuesday at the Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 JFK Road where a wake service will be held at 4:30 p.m.
Raymond was born on November 17, 1934 in Iowa City, the son of Henry and Francis (Buchholz) Breitsprecker.
He married Eloise E. Manders on July 23, 1960 in Dubuque.
Raymond worked at John Deere, Dubuque Works and retired in 1989 after 33 years of dedicated employment. Following his retirement from John Deere he worked for Hartig Drug Store for nearly 15 years. Raymond was also a volunteer fire fighter in Sherrill, IA in the early 1970’s.
Raymond was a Bears, Vikings and a life- long Cubs fan. He enjoyed dancing, playing cards with his friends and family, being in the outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping.
Some of Raymond’s most valued times were being with his wife and best friend, Eloise and with his children and grandchildren, who he loved to tease and laugh with. His unbreakable bond he built with his son, Ray Jr. and grandsons Thom and Levi was unmatched. They always looked forward to spending time together, especially during hunting season when they would hunt almost every Sunday.
Raymond had a huge heart and a lot of compassion for others. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle.
He is survived by his wife, Eloise; 3 children, Doris Friebel, Raymond Jr, (Thelma) Breitsprecker, both of Dubuque, and Jennifer (Darren) Berthel, of Bellevue; 7 grandchildren, Nicole and Josh Friebel, Thom, Amanda, and Brandy Breitsprecker, and Danah and Levi Berthel; 2 step- grandchildren, Andrea and Austin Hansen; 3 great- grandchildren, Sean, Griffin and Brayden; 1 step great –grandchild, Easton; 3 brothers, Harold (Jean) Breitsprecker, of Dubuque, Ed Breitsprecker of Potosi, WI., and Henry (Chris) Breitsprecker, of Kenosha, WI.; 2 sisters, Lavon McKeon, of Darlington, WI. and Donna Farley, of Dubuque; 1 brother-in-law, John (Pam) Manders, of Appleriver, WI; 2 sisters-in-law, Juliann (Manders) Breitsprecker and Sue (Huss) Breitsprecker, both of Dubuque; an aunt, Edna Buchholz and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Gerald and Fred; sister, Irene Graves; 3 brothers-in-law, Donald McKeon, Jake Graves and Robert Farley; sisters-in-law, Fern Breitsprecker and a niece, Susan Breitsprecker.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com
A Raymond Breitsprecker memorial fund has been established.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Mark Hermann and his staff, especially nurse Sandy, and Amy J. of Hospice of Dubuque for all their wonderful care.