James Joseph Link

James "Jim" Joseph Link passed away in Dubuque on Thursday, July 23rd, 2015
at the age of 85. He was born May 19th, 1930 in Dubuque to John and Elva Link.  He
grew up in his parents' home on Bunker Hill and graduated from Dubuque
Senior High School.  He served in the Marines during the Korean War, being
stationed in Barstow, California where he worked as a cartographer.  During
that time he proposed to and married his wife of 62 years, Marlyn (Ehlers),
also of Dubuque.  Upon returning to Dubuque after the war, he took his
drafting skills to John Deere, a company he proudly worked for over 36
years.

Shortly after returning to Dubuque from his military service he acquired the
parcel of land adjacent to his parents on Floraview and built the house he
and Marlyn would occupy for 57 years.

Jim retired from "Deere's" in 1987 and kept very busy volunteering for
Handicapped Persons Incorporated, attending to yard and home maintenance,
golfing in the summer and perfecting his woodworking in the winter.  Most
winter evenings he could be found in his garage workshop constructing and
refining clocks and small furniture as treasured gifts for family and friends. 

In later years, he became a voracious reader and made innumerable
trips to the stacks of the Dubuque Public Library.

Most of all Jim was a devoted family man.  He always put his family first
and would do anything for his sons, Rick and Mike.  His devotion, however,
was most evident in his love and care for his wife, Marlyn.  He never left
her side in their later years as she struggled with her own health issues
and was a tireless advocate for her.  In addition, he took great pride in
looking after the "other woman" in his life, his sister Jayne.  Their
sibling bond was so strong that they spent nearly their entire lives raising
their families on the same block.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his wife,
Marlyn, sons, Rick (JoEllen), Mike (Kelly) and grandchildren: Katie, Hannah,
Julia and Ronan and his sister, Jayne Walker.

The family would like to thank nephew John Walker, Marcy Wilker, and the
entire Sullivan family for their love and care over the years.  The love and
support you showed was an immense comfort during difficult times.

In keeping with Dad's wishes, there will be no public service.  In lieu of
flowers, the family requests a donation in Jim's name to the Dubuque
Carnegie Stout Public Library.
 

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