Joseph P. Bahl

Joseph P. Bahl, 83, of Asbury, Iowa, died on Friday October 13th, 2023, peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones.

Friends and family may visit from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday October 22nd, 2023, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road.

A Funeral Service will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Monday October 23rd, 2023, at the funeral home with Fr. Dennis Quint officiating. The burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Asbury.

He was born on December 17th, 1939, the 6th child of Joseph F. Bahl and Viola (Savary) Bahl, in the home of his grandparents Ma and Pa Savery. He was raised on the family farm in Asbury, and he grew up to be a dairy farmer all his life. He attended Lore Mound School and Loras Academy. Joe went on to marry the love of his life, Susan Kelleher, at St. Patrick’s in Dubuque on October 4th, 1969. In the mid 80’s he started raising pumpkins on the farm. It grew over the years into a traditional pumpkin festival along with providing a supply of pumpkins throughout the tristate area for people to enjoy. Fishing was Joe’s favorite sport, which he did at the family cabin in Frazee, Minnesota for over 45 years. Joseph was a Charter member of the Asbury Eagles Club and a member of the Asbury Fire Department Board in the 1980’s.

Those left to cherish the memories of Joe include his loving wife of 54 years, Sue, son Craig (Jennifer Miller), grandchildren Calvin Bahl, Phillip (fiancé Morgan Hearden) Bahl, Kristen (David) Erickson, and Jesse Bahl, sisters Nita Betts and Mary O’Hea, brother Tom Bahl, sisters-in-law Mary Ann Kelleher and Lorraine Kelleher; numerous nieces and nephews, and previous daughters-in-law Tanya Willis and Lori Bahl.

Joe was preceded in death by his daughter Michelle in 1992, his parents Joseph and Viola, in-laws Dorothy and Melvin Kelleher, his sisters Betty Allen, Janey Dupont, and Susan Wilson, brother Charles Bahl, brothers-in-law Del O’Hea, Bob Betts, Don Dupont, Jim Kelleher, Red Kelleher, and Bob Kelleher, sisters-in-law Shirley Bahl and Helen Kelleher, nephews Doug Bahl, John Allen, Gary Betts, nieces Jill Dupont and Jean Koren, great nephew TJ Kelleher, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family would like to thank the staff at Stone Hill Health Center, Mercy 4th floor, MercyOne Cancer Center, Mercy ER, his doctors Dr. Mortensen, Dr. Freiburger, Dr. Engleman, and Dr. Marks, Lynsey from Home Care, and the nurses and staff at Hospice of Dubuque for all their compassionate care during Joe’s difficult journey.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to be made to Hospice of Dubuque or the Avery Foundation of Dubuque.

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