Paul F. Reiss

Paul F. Reiss, 81, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away on Thursday, November 15th, 2018 at home surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Key West with Rev. Rodney Allers officiating. Entombment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery Chapel Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road where a wake service will be at 2:45 p.m.

Paul was born on June 18, 1937 in Dubuque, Iowa, the only child of Frank and Catherine (Gassman) Reiss.

He married Janet Brimeyer on June 19, 1956 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church.

Paul worked the family farm where he grew up his whole life and at John Deere for 32 years, retiring in 1992. During retirement Paul kept busy doing equipment repairs for Jim Giese Commercial Roofing - he could fix anything. He spent a lot of time tinkering in his shop, going for gator rides, playing euchre on Monday, and “checking his numbers” at the casino. He loved deer hunting, traveling, especially to Vegas and Hawaii with his wife, Janet, and taking many bus trips around the country.

Paul was active in his community as a member of the St. Joseph’s Key West Holy Name Society and a 4-H leader for many years.

You wouldn’t know it from looking at him, but you rarely saw Paul when he wasn’t eating. He loved having B.S. sessions with anyone who would listen and was a true gentleman. He was patient, smart, and always happy, especially when surrounded by his family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

It was hard not to smile when you were around Paul, Dad, Grandpa. We will miss hearing about his “gibbers”, checking with “upper management”, “dibber dibber dabber dabbers”, and most of all, his hugs.  Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Paul describes him as just such a great guy.

He is survived by his wife Janet; five children, Joseph (Lemmie) Reiss, of Milwaukee, Beth Houselog, of Milwaukee, Mark (Julie) Reiss, of Dubuque, Melissa “Missy” (Dan) Sendt, of East Dubuque, IL, Angella “Angie” (Jeff) Demmer, of Dubuque. Ten grandchildren, Jeremy (Suzy) Reiss, Alison (Paige Elding) Reiss, Nicole (Andy) Todryk, Joshua (Sara Augustowski) Houselog, Megan (Chris) Jones, Molly (Josh) Kluesner, Michael Sendt, Matt Sendt, Brittany Demmer, and Mitchell Demmer. Three great grandchildren, Dylan Kamps, Riley Kamps, and Beau Kluesner.  

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, Sarah Reiss, and great grandson, Nicholas Houselog.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Research For The Kids (RFTK). RFTK benefits research programs for pediatric brain tumors and heart defects at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in memory of Paul’s granddaughter, Sarah.

The family wishes to thank Hospice of Dubuque especially Jeanette, Nichole, and Ryan for all their wonderful care and kindness they gave to Paul.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.