Joseph H Pfab

Joseph Henry "Joe" Pfab, 85, of Dubuque, passed away October 1, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.
Visitation will be from 3:00-7:15 PM, Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Church of the Nativity, 1225 Alta Vista, Dubuque. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 7:30 PM.
Joe was born on September 21, 1940, in Dubuque, to Anthony and Dollie (Hayes) Pfab. He attended Dubuque Senior High School, graduating with the class of 1959.
Joe was a long-time member of Nativity Parish, where he and Lana (Hines), his beloved wife of 63 years, were united in marriage on May 5, 1962.
He was employed by Eagle Foods for over 40 years, rising from grocery bagger to manager, working at Eagle's stores throughout Dubuque, before his retirement in 2003.
Joe never met a stranger, and his career at Eagle's allowed him to make numerous friends among his coworkers and customers. He enjoyed playing golf and cards with friends, going to bingo, and took many trips to Minnesota and Wisconsin with Lana to visit his kids and grandkids (and the occasional casino).
Holidays were always an event at Joe's house, especially Halloween and Christmas. Regardless of the occasion, Joe loved cooking a delicious meal for friends and family, and then holding court at the kitchen table with a Pepsi in hand.
His greatest passion in life was his family. He adored his wife Lana, and they were honored at a celebration with family and friends for their 60th wedding anniversary in 2022.
His children and grandchildren meant the world to him; he attended countless sporting events, concerts, and programs, and loved nothing more than talking about their lives and accomplishments, with obvious pride in his voice.
Joe is survived by his wife Lana, his children, Julie (Bill) Hoffman of Dubuque, Russell (Brenda) Pfab of Peosta, Randall (Candy Lemerand) Pfab of Baldwin, WI, Richard (Billie) Pfab of Appleton, WI, Jennifer (Jen Thumser) Pfab of Dubuque, and Janis (Chad) Thomas of Dubuque.
He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, Jeffry (Raquel) Hoffman, Kelsey Hoffman, Benjamin (Court Schueller) Pfab, Samantha (Tyler) Hospodarsky, Courtney (Keegan) Gebke, McKenzie (Payton) Klinefelter, Brittanee (Nathan) Suliin, Chelsea (Adam Lafontaine) Pfab, Devon (Andrew) Fredrickson, Greg Pfab, Darrian Adler, Joshua Pfab, Zachary Pfab, Lana Pfab, Charlie Pfab-Thumser, Jack Thomas, and Sophia Thomas.
Joe is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren, Violet Hoffman, Baxter Hoffman, Ozzie Hoffman, Elsie Gebke, Kenzee Suliin, Jaxon Lafontaine, Landon Lafontaine, Mallorie Lafontaine, Arabella Fredrickson, and Harlow Fredrickson.
He is also survived by his half-sister, Susie (Jack) Onken, his half-brothers, James (Meredith) Pfab and William (Tammy) Pfab, his brother-in-law, Dale (Sara) Hines, and many nieces and nephews.
Joe is also survived by his lifelong friends Wayne & Karen Gardner, who are considered family by the Pfabs.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Anthony Pfab, his sister, Sally Pfab, his half-sisters, Elizabeth (Dave) Clasen, Hilma (Geoff) Galloway, Ruth (Larry) Reiff, his stepmother, Patricia Pfab, his brother-in-law, Donald (Betty) Hines, and his sisters-in-law Jeneene (Wayne) Hennings, Janaan (Richard) Kieffer, Phyllis (William) Hessel, and Denise Hines.
Joe's family wishes to extend a special thank you to all of the doctors, nurses, and staff in the SNICU at the University of Iowa Hospitals for their care, kindness, and compassion.
Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home and Crematory is entrusted with arrangements.