Wayne E. Reicher

Wayne E. Reicher, age 80, of Dubuque, Iowa, was called home peacefully at 12:00 a.m., on Sunday, September 4, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. To honor Wayne's life, funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, September 9, 2016, at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 2001 St. Joseph Street, with Rev. Gabriel C. Anderson officiating. To celebrate Wayne's life, family and friends may visit from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, September 8, 2016, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, where there will be a rosary recited at 1:30 p.m. and a parish scripture wake service held at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by the Dubuque Marine Corps League. Wayne was born in Dyersville, Iowa, son of Edward B. and Millie J. (Willenborg) Reicher. Wayne moved to Dubuque at a young age and developed his fundamental foundations of faith, family and fun. He went on to honorably serve his country with the U.S. Army, the U.S. Naval Reserve and the National Guard. After his discharge from the Army, Wayne moved back to Dubuque and met the love of his life, Rita Gulyash. They were united in marriage on November 22, 1958, at Sacred Heart Church in Dubuque. Their union was blessed with 57 wonderful years together and five sons. Wayne proudly invested 30 years of his working career with Dubuque John Deere Works until his retirement in 1988. Wayne was a longtime and faithful member of St. Joseph the Worker Church. He was also a member of the U.A.W. Retirees, the V.F.W. and also a charter member of both the #327 Experimental Aircraft Association and the Snomad Ski Club. Flying was definitely a passion in Wayne's life, as he would devote years of his time and talents to flight instruction and competition aerobatics with an International Aerobatic Championship in 1979. Wayne was also an avid skier who found great joy in instruction, ski patrol and downhill racing. And finally, if Wayne wasn't flying or skiing, he could surely be found sitting in his boat with his favorite fishing pole in hand. Wayne has lived a full and abundant life and the memories, and legacy he leaves behind will surely impact the world for years to come. We find peace in knowing that, even though he's gone home ahead of us, we trust that he'll be waiting there with open and comforting arms when we all meet again. Those left to cherish Wayne's memory include his loving wife of 57 years, Rita Reicher, Dubuque, IA; five sons, Randall (Pamela) Reicher, Mineral, VA, Barry (Diana) Reicher, Nixa, MO, Dennis (Jennifer) Reicher, Littleton, CO, Edward C. (Deborah) Reicher, Mantorville, MN and Timothy (Sheryl) Reicher, Highlands Ranch, CO; twelve grandchildren, Heather (Devin) Jensen, Josh Reicher, Cecelia Reicher, Victoria Reicher, Jake Brown, Lindsey (Hayden) Griggs, Kathleen Reicher, Rachel Reicher, Madeline Reicher, Molly Reicher, Christopher Reicher and Lilly Reicher; a great-granddaughter, Avery Jensen; and a sister, Carole Martin, Dubuque, IA. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Norma (Bob) VonAh and Darlene (Norman "Lefty") Stierman; and a brother-in-law, Jim Martin. Wayne's family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff of Hospice of Dubuque for the kind, loving and compassionate care they provided Wayne and the entire family.