Gary L. Jahnke

Gary L. Jahnke, 73, of Dubuque, died peacefully on Friday, March 14, 2025, at his home surrounded by family, after a courageous 22 month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, with a Celebration of Life time of sharing at 7:00 pm at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Gary will be at 10:30 am on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church with Father Brian Dellaert as the Celebrant. A private family burial will be at the Asbury Cemetery where full military honors will be rendered by American Legion Post #6 and the Iowa Army National Guard.
Gary was born October 16, 1951, in Dubuque, IA, the son of Walter and Virginia (Merritt) Jahnke. He graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in Dubuque, IA in 1970. In 1971, he was drafted and served two years in the Army while stationed in Germany. Gary was married to Katy O'Meara for 27 years, they then went their separate ways but stayed friends.
Gary attended Area I Vocational-Technical School and was the top of his class, earning his Welding diploma in 1975, Auto Mechanics diploma in 1976, and Tractor/Trailer Truck Driving diploma, with full endorsements, in 1999 from Northeast Iowa Community College.
Gary enjoyed a career of utilizing his technical repairs & maintenance and intra personal skills. He worked for John Deere Dubuque Works from 1977-1982, managed several residential complexes, and then drove a tanker truck for Fassport/Molo Oil Company for the last 21 years.
Gary was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. He enjoyed volunteering and served on the Church Council, Building and Grounds Committee and Garden Club at St. Joseph The Worker Catholic Church. He was on the Board of Directors for the Rescue Mission in Dubuque serving community members in need.
Gary enjoyed bicycling and helping his community by donating over 13 gallons of blood through the Dubuque Red Cross. Most of all, he enjoyed going to his grandchildren's activities and spending time with his family.
Survivors include his son, Jason (Jane) Jahnke, and their son, Josh, of Crystal Lake, IL; his daughter, Jill (Lance Smothers) Jahnke and her children, Gio and Jace Martinez and Madison Smothers all of Dubuque, IA; his mother, Virginia Jahnke of Dubuque; four siblings, Allan (Kathy) Jahnke of Littleton, CO and their son, Jordan; Kevin (Linda) Jahnke of Ramona, CA and their children, Adam (Kai), Andrew (Hannah), and Aaron, and Grace; Steve Jahnke of Dubuque and his children, Eric (Kalli) and Sarah; and Lavonne (Aaron) Cohen of Chicago, IL; and Gary's former wife, Katy O'Meara.
Gary is preceded in death by his father, Walter Jahnke.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.
The family would like to extend a special Thank You to Hospice of Dubuque, Mercy Cancer Center, and all of Gary's caregivers, especially, Kirsten and Renee.