Norbert O. Tressel

Norbert “Norb” O. Tressel, formerly of 770 Harvard Street, died May 25, 2023, at Bethany Home, Dubuque.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 2 at 11:00 AM at Church of the Nativity with Fr. Andy Upah presiding.  Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. A Vigil Prayer Service will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday, June 1 at Leonard Funeral Home, followed by visitation until 7:00 PM.  The Mass will be live-streamed on Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory’s Facebook page.

Norbert was born September 9, 1935 in Dubuque, IA, son of John and Josephine (Imhof) Tressel.  On June 22, 1957, he married Mildred Brimeyer in North Buena Vista, IA.  They were married for 63 years before Mildred’s death in 2020.

Norbert is survived by his children Michelle of Cedar Rapids, IA, Dennis (Ann) of Dubuque, IA, Sharon (Steve) Roling of Eldridge, IA, Rodney (Kirsten) of Ankeny, IA, Kurt (Pam) of Bettendorf, IA and Karen (John) McCartney of Verona, WI; his grandchildren Ben (Adrienne), Elizabeth, Luke (Katie), Mark, Katie (Jeremy), Andrew, Matt, Haley, Holly, Josie, Max, and Millie; his great-grandchildren Camryn, Easton, Ellie, Ben, Casey, and Aaron; his siblings Therese and Germaine; and nieces and nephews, including his godchildren Mark, Jane, Diane and Gina.

Norbert was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred, his parents, John and Josephine Tressel, his siblings George, Lavonne, Al, Paul and Mark; his granddaughter Emily; and godson Brad.

He was a member of Nativity Church, and the Catholic Order of Foresters, Marquette Court #811. He enjoyed cracking walnuts and giving them away, playing softball, umpiring, and golfing.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Church of the Nativity, Spina Bifida Association of Iowa, the Iowa Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Hospice of Dubuque, or Bethany Home.

We, his children, recognize the sacrifices Dad made for us and for others.  He and Mom sent all six of us through Catholic schools from first grade through high school and modeled how to live our faith.  It is hard to imagine how Dad could love anyone more than us, until the grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along. He was delighted to answer to “Dad”, “Grandpa”, and “Grandpa Great”.  His career as a hair dresser was squelched after one failed attempt to cut a granddaughter’s hair. 

Dad and Mom took great care in picking out Swiss lace at a particular shop in New Glarus which Mom used to make baptismal gowns. He enjoyed driving “Miss Millie” around the Dubuque area, which often ended at Dairy Queen. Dad took extraordinary care of Mom, when she endured her health challenges. We are blessed to be raised by such loving parents.

We extend our deepest appreciation to the community at Bethany Home: to the employees for the love, friendship and exceptional care given to our Dad and to the residents who befriended Dad. We are also grateful to Hospice of Dubuque and to our extended family and friends for your love, encouragement and prayers.

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