David Pacholke

DAVID PACHOLKE

Dubuque

David A. Pacholke, 72, of Dubuque, passed away at home on his birthday on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, surrounded by his family and friends.

A celebration of life will take place on Sunday, May 1, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd., Dubuque, where a wake service will be at 1:45 p.m. Funeral services will be at the Church of the Nativity in Dubuque at 10:30 a.m. Monday May 2, with Father Jim Miller officiating. Burial will be at St. Andrew Thomas Cemetery in Tennyson, Wis., following a family dinner.

David was born April 27, 1944, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Raymond and Jean Pacholke. David graduated in 1962 from Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs, where he was colonel in the ROTC. He earned his undergraduate degree in Russian from Morningside College in Sioux City in 1966. His plan was to be a U.N. translator but got the calling to serve Christ instead.

In 1969, he received a master's in theology from Duke University in Durham, N.C., and went on to receive his Doctor of Divinity in 1970, also from Duke University. David became an ordained Methodist minister in the Iowa Methodist Conference. His first position as a minister was at Mingo (Iowa) United Methodist Church from 1970 to 1973. In 1973, he moved to Columbia, S.C., where he received his chaplaincy training in 1974. He returned to Iowa in 1974 to become the full-time chaplain at Finley Hospital in Dubuque. He loved his work and served many people in Dubuque for 38 years. He was well known for officiating countless baptisms, weddings, crises, as well as funerals throughout his lengthy career.

He served in many organizations such as the Dubuque Law Enforcement Chaplaincy program, hospice (as the founding chaplain, of course), Explorer Scout leader, Optimist Club, Dubuque Men's Association and Dubuque Area Christians United.

He is remembered most for his infectious laughter, colorful stories, inappropriate jokes, but most of all, his strong faith and generous spirit. He was passionate about his family and friends, as well.

His favorite pastimes were photography, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Bears and the Cubs! He also enjoyed cheering against the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers!

Survivors include the love of his life of 31 years, Jan; his favorite daughter, Karen (Mark) Wilson of Cedar Rapids; his most handsome son, Aaron; his talented and handsome grandsons, Sam Wilson (14) and Nathan Wilson (11) of Cedar Rapids; sisters, Marsha (Harold) Koughn of Gresham, Neb., and Raejean (Jerry) Furne of Lawton; his mother-in-law, Katherine Schwab of Potosi, Wis.; brother-in-law, John (Janine) Schwab of Durand, Ill.; sister-in-law, Karen (Tim) Ginn of Chanhassen, Minn.; and brother-in-law, Tim Schwab of Potosi, Wis. David also is survived by several nieces, nephews and even grandnephews, who are his pride and joy!

David was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard Pacholke; and father-in-law, Ambrose Schwab.

In lieu of flowers, a David Pacholke Memorial Fund has been established. Donations from this fund will be made to his favorite charities.

The family would like to acknowledge with special thanks to Dr. Compton and his nurse, Jody, Dr. Sekar, Dr. Hermann, Finley Hospital staff, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics doctors and staff, Hospice of Dubuque, Father Jim Miller, Deacon David McGee, Chaplain Jim Mehltretter, and countless others who have offered their love and support during his long illness.