Thomas E. Wilhelm

DYERSVILLE, IOWA

Thomas E. Wilhelm, 81, of Dyersville, Iowa, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2026, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Visitation will be held 2 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Kramer-Morris Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa where a military service will be held at 7 p.m. accorded by American Legion Post #137. Visitation will continue from 9 – 10 a.m. at the funeral home prior to funeral services.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, Iowa, with burial at the church cemetery where military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post #137.

Thomas was born on July 14, 1944, in Dyersville, Iowa, son of John and Lorine (Benke) Wilhelm. He married Judy Boge on May 21, 1966, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, Iowa. To this union, five children were born.

Thomas worked with Jasper Construction Company after graduating from Xavier High School. He served in the Iowa Army National Guard from 1965 to 1971. He began Wilhelm Excavating in 1993 until retirement, doing what he loved to do.

He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, and time spent outdoors with his family. He cherished his lawn in his later years, always particular in his craft.

Survivors include his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Judy; children: Brenda Niehaus of Dyersville, Tim (Diane) Wilhelm of Dyersville, Vicki (Steve) Specht of Holy Cross, Tracy (Dennis) Demmer of Farley, Peggy (Ryan) Ruden of Bernard; grandchildren: Thomas (Anne) Wilhelm, Josie (Brad) Hennen, Tristan Wilhelm, Sean (Amy) Specht, Lauren (Ryan) Peterson, Olivia Specht, Jared (Kayla) Demmer, Abby (Logan) Koopmann, Jacob Demmer, Jillian Ruden, Emmett Ruden; great-grandchildren: Evelyn and Theodore Specht, Beau Peterson, Maverick and Drake Hennen, Leo Demmer, Lylah Koopmann, and two more on the way; siblings: James (Norma) Wilhelm, Mary Ann Nachtmann, Charles (Donna) Wilhelm, all of Dyersville, and Jean Conrad of Bankston; in-laws: Steve (Marie) Boge, Marla Schmitt, Bev Engelken, Neal Boge.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Eugene “Pete” and Mary Boge; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren we never got to hold; brother, Henry “Heinie” (Judith) Wilhelm; in-laws: Gerald Conrad, Bruce Jacobs, Ken Boge, Bruce Boge, Norbert Nachtmann, and Bob Engelken.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Dubuque, St. Francis Xavier Parish, or Dubuque Conservation in reference to Heritage Trail which he frequented often.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque for their compassionate care.

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.