Richard Harold "Dick" Hefel

Richard "Dick" Harold Hefel, 87, of Dubuque, died Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Oak Park Place in Dubuque.

A prayer service will be held at 4:00 pm Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory followed by visitation until 7:00 pm.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Richard will be 10:30 am Friday, February 27, 2026, at Holy Spirit Parish - Holy Ghost Catholic Church with Father Raymond Burkle as the Celebrant. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Key West.

Richard was born June 30, 1938, in Dubuque, the son of Harold and Lorraine (Dix) Hefel. He was a graduate of Dubuque Senior High School. He was a U.S. Veteran, serving in the Marines Corps. On July 23, 1960, he married the love of his life, Mary Ann Wolbers, at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Dubuque. She preceded him in death on March 22, 2025.

He was a member of Holy Spirit Parish and was a familiar face over the years to the parishioners of Holy Ghost and Sacred Heart.

Dick was retired from John Deere Dubuque Works, where he worked for many years. He was an active member and supporter of UAW 94 throughout his life.

He was an avid golfer, horseshoe player, pool player and bowler. For many years he played in Horseshoe Leagues at Flora Park, Golf Leagues at Bunker Hill, Pool Leagues at Cue Master and Bowling Leagues at Riverside Bowl. He embraced the camaraderie and fellowship throughout his participation in these events helping install the original horseshoe pits at Flora Park and maintaining a "Horseshoe Club" in Fulton, Iowa. He was also an avid NASCAR fan who enjoyed the many trips he made with family and friends to the Daytona 500. He was a lifelong fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Bears.

Survivors include his five sons, Craig Hefel of Cedar Rapids, Randy (Torie) Hefel of Maricopa, AZ, Tim (Adriana) Hefel of San Carlos, CA, Jeff (Linda) Hefel of Gilbert, AZ, and John (Risa) Hefel of San Diego, CA; three grandchildren, Rachael (Michael Reis) Hefel, Hannah Hefel, and Zach Sather; six great-grandchildren, Axton, Murray, and Gaitlin Sather, Maeve, Harrison, and Violet Reis; five sisters, Donna (Vern) Husemann, Doris (Terry) Gartner, Sr. Laurinda Hefel, Delaine Gartner, and Debra (Richard) Folks; two brothers, Eldon (Janet) Hefel, and Russ (Chris) Hefel; six sisters-in-law, Phyllis Wolbers, Carol (Keith) Hilken, Gwen (Ken) Loes, Jolene (Dick) Bybee, Veronica Gaston and Martha (Paul) Gartner; five brothers-in-law, Lawrence (Katie) Wolbers, Robert (Margot) Wolbers, John (Monica) Wolbers, Brian (Sharon) Wolbers, Mark Wolbers and Leroy Bastian; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Marvin Hefel, Hal Hefel and Dan Hefel; one sister, Dixie Rapp; two nephews, Andrew Wolbers and Joshua Wolbers; four nieces, Stephanie Wolbers, Dianne Fritsch, Diane Rapp and Danielle Hefel; mother- and father-in-law, Clarence and Anita Wolbers; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Sam Wolbers, Neal Wolbers, Joanna Wolbers, Eunice Bastian, Eileen Hefel, Judy Hefel, Kathy Hefel, Jerry Rapp, and Joe Gartner.

Memorials have been established for Holy Spirit Parish - Holy Ghost Catholic Church and Hospice of Dubuque.

The family would like to thank his friends and the staff at Oak Park Place.