Joe MacDonald

Joseph F. MacDonald, 94, of Dubuque, died Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Bethany Home in Dubuque.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until 10:15 am on Friday, September 26, 2025 at Holy Spirit Parish - Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Joe will be at 10:30 am on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Holy Spirit Parish - Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Raymond Burkle as the Celebrant. Entombment will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque.

Joe was born August 22, 1931, in Moline, IL, the son of Earl and Florence (Wichter) MacDonald. On April 7, 1951, he married Juanita Kraus in Dubuque. She preceded him in death on June 22, 2007.

Joe graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1949.

Joe dedicated 31 years to John Deere Dubuque Works, and after retiring, spent another decade driving school bus for the Dubuque Community Schools. He was a faithful member of Holy Spirit Parish - Sacred Heart Catholic Church and John Deere Local 94. Generous with his time, Joe volunteered at the food pantry and delivered Meals on Wheels. Above all, he treasured weekends at the family cottage on Freddy's Beach and the special moments shared with his grandchildren.

Survivors include two children, Laurie (Greg) Parker of Dubuque, and Steve (Heidi) MacDonald of Epworth, IA; six grandchildren, Amy (Steve Beireis) VanderMeulen, Mike (Mandy) Parker, Chris (Stacy Seyer) MacDonald, Lisa (Harley) Beck, Ben MacDonald, and Connor (Ashlee Garlow) MacDonald; four great-grandchildren, Colten (Paige Oberman) VanderMeulen, Derek (Kaitlyn Blasen) VanderMeulen, Drake Parker, and Mia Parker; four siblings, Vanetta (Ed) Hess of Worthington, IA, Denise (Pete) Emanuel Clemen of Minneapolis, MN, Michael 'Mike' (Mary Kay) MacDonald of Dyersville, IA, and Patrick 'Pat' (Patti) MacDonald of Jesup, MD; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and wife, Joe was preceded in death by a daughter and son-in-law, Deborah (Carl) Miller; a great-grandson, William VanderMeulen; a sister, Mary Lou Brown; his grandson-in-law, Bill VanderMeulen; and his special friend, Mary Theisen.

In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials may be given to Bethany Home or Hospice of Dubuque.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to Joe's dear friend Pat Kunnert for his many visits and steadfast friendship; to the caring staff and residents of Bethany Home for welcoming Joe and making him feel truly at home; to the Meals on Wheels family for their kindness and support; to Donna Theisen for her cherished friendship; and to Hospice of Dubuque for the gentle, compassionate care they provided.