Joan G. Esch

DYERSVILLE, IOWA

Joan G. Esch, 87, of Dyersville, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at MercyOne Medical Center in Dyersville, Iowa, surrounded by her loved ones.

Visitation will be held 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Kramer-Morris Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa. Funeral Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. at the funeral home with inurnment to follow at St. Francis Cemetery. Rev. Carl Ries will officiate.

Joan was born April 23, 1939, in Luxemburg, Iowa, daughter of Joe and Anna (Meyer) Steffen. Joan graduated from St. Boniface High School in New Vienna in 1955. She married James Esch on October 1, 1960, in Luxemburg, Iowa. Joan and James farmed north of Dyersville.

Joan was a woman of many talents and had a caring heart. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, and gardening, but her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. She helped her husband, Jim, on the farm, spent many years working as a cosmetologist, and worked in the kitchen at Mercy Hospital in Dyersville. She carried her hardworking spirit and caring nature throughout her life. She was also an excellent cook and baker who found great joy in preparing delicious meals and feeding her loved ones. Through her cooking, hospitality, and generous heart, Joan made everyone feel welcome and cared for. She loved her days with friends, going out to eat, and simple drives for ice cream. Her love for family and the simple pleasures of life will be fondly remembered by all who knew her.

Survivors include her children: Alan (Kell) Esch of Epworth, IA, Carla (Scott) Larsen of Johnston, IA, Jenny (Ray) Kirsch of Dyersville, IA, Shelly (Scott) Schoer of Waterloo, IA, Jill (Jeff) Schmitt of Dubuque, IA; daughter-in-law, Lynn Huiskamp-Esch of River Falls, WI; 10 grandchildren: Nicholas (Lucy) Esch, Christoph (Ashley) Esch, Ellen (Tyan) Thomas, Jayne Esch, Ryan (Amanda) Larsen, Kelsi (Chad) Ford, Justin (Laura) Kirsch, Jordan (Elizabeth) Kirsch, Melissa (Timothy) Houtchens, Mitchel (Mady) Schoer; 21 great grandchildren with two on the way: and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Wagner of Minneapolis, MN.

She was preceded in death by her husband James, in 2012; son, Jay Esch; parents, parents-in-law, Arthur J. and Elizabeth “Elsie” Esch; siblings: Leo (Monica) Steffen, Ray (Fran) Steffen, Art (Esther) Steffen, Lawrence Steffen, Marie Goebel-Winter (Larry Goebel and Emmett Winter), Virginette (Irvin) Singsank, Richard (Nellie) Steffen, Ralph (Anne) Steffen, Germaine (Norb) Wilwert; in-laws: Arthur B. Esch, Emmett Pfeiler, (Dorothy, first married to Arthur; after his passing, later married Emmett), George (Ramona) Esch, Helen (Ed) Ramler, Bill Wagner, and Vince (Betty) Steffen.

The family would like to thank staff at MercyOne Medical Center in Dubuque and Dyersville.

Kramer-Morris Funeral Home (Dyersville, Guttenberg, Garnavillo, Monticello, Holy Cross) is assisting the family and online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramer-morrisfuneralhome.com.