Calvin G. Koecke, 89, of Dubuque, Iowa peacefully passed into the loving care of Jesus at UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital in Dubuque on Monday, March 20, 2017, due to dementia-related pneumonia. Calvin Gustav, the son of Caleb R. and Violet (Bohringer) Koecke, was born May 7, 1927 in the Village of Wyalusing, Wisconsin. The family later relocated to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. At the age of nineteen, Calvin was inducted into the U.S. Army Field Artillery. He served from 1945 until 1946, with the majority of his service being spent in Japan as part of the U.S. Occupation Forces.
After his discharge from the Army, Calvin returned to Prairie du Chien and soon began working at the National Decorated Metal Company. While working at “The Dec”, he met Frances Burr, the younger sister of his coworker, Bill Burr. Calvin and Frances were married on June 21, 1952 in the residence of Pastor Terry Sellers in Prairie du Chien.
After National Decorated Metal Company closed in 1965, Calvin began working as a painter at the John Deere Dubuque Tractor Works. The work was demanding, but he was happy to be a UAW member and proud to produce quality work for John Deere. Through the years he submitted suggestions for which he was rewarded with generous bonuses when the Company implemented them. Calvin retired in 1993 and continued to pay his union dues for the rest of his life.
Calvin enjoyed reading tremendously, particularly books about the Old West, World War II, firearms, and science. Nature was of great interest to him as well; he often spent hours contentedly noting various species of birds visiting the homemade feeder outside his living room window. Walking through the outdoors observing and listening to nature was one of his favorite pastimes. He particularly enjoyed several family vacations to Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, and the Grand Canyon. In addition, Calvin was very fond of music; he enjoyed listening to old time country artists such as the Carter Family and Grandpa Jones, and, he spent many happy hours playing music on his accordion and organ. He was especially passionate about airplanes and flying, having purchased his own PT-19 after receiving his pilot’s license through the GI Bill.
Calvin is survived by his daughter, Kathy Koecke of Dubuque; his sister, Dollie Trayer of Lancaster, Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Beverly Koecke of Dubuque; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews; and his beloved cat, Mandu.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances, in 2002; a stillborn daughter, Lori Ann, in 1965; and a premature son, Jeffrey Lee, in 1967. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Rosella; brother, Harry; sister, Mercedes; brother, Paul; brother-in-law, John Trayer; and sister-in-law, Helen “Jeannie” (Rinehart) Koecke.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. Hillard Salas, Dr. Roger Schafer, and the exceptional ER, therapeutic, and nursing staff of Unity Point Health-Finley Hosital in Dubuque.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 27, 2017 at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Monday at the funeral home.
Interment will be held in Evergreen Cemetery, Prairie du Chien.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin is helping the family with the arrangements.