Reisen, Charlie “Chicken”

Charlie “Chicken” Reisen, 86, of Dubuque died Monday January 15, 2024, at Mercy Hospital after a long battle with on-going health issues surrounded by his family.  Visitation will be from 1 to 3:30pm on Friday January 19th, 2024, with a prayer service from 3:30pm until 3:45pm at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, Dubuque, IA 52003.

Born December 20, 1937, to Henry & Florence (Woods) Reisen. Charlie worked for the Dubuque Packing Company / FDL for 43 years.  Then for Medical Associates part time as a courier for several years.  He volunteered at Stonehill for many years and loved every minute of it!

Charlie married Linda Reynolds November 7, 1959, in Dodgeville, WI.  They shared 64 wonderful years together.  Charlie loved family time, especially attending the grandkids ballgames, and activities sometimes up to four per day.  He also enjoyed fishing with his father-in-law, Harvey.  Annual trips to Lake Eerie with his son Joe and other family and friends.

Charlie and Linda enjoyed spending time with their best friends of 65 years Larry and Donna Walter.  Over the years, their families took vacations together, including many camping trips and amusement parks.  A highlight vacation was a trip Larry & Donna & Charlie & Linda took to Mexico in 2004.

Charlie never met a stranger, and everyone he did meet became an instant friend.  He touched many lives with his warm heart and sense of humor.  He also loved a good game of Euchre and to everyone’s enjoyment (except his wife) nobody, but nobody got more nines and tens then he did!!

Survived by his wife Linda (64 yrs), Julie (Garry) Redman, Joe (Lori) Reisen, Janet (Mike) Schmit, Janine (Dave) McQuiggin, and Joyce Hanley.  Grandchildren Neva Redman, Nicole (Chris) Ayers, Andrew (Jordan) Redman, Amber Reisen, Ashley (Ryan) Wehrle, Cory Schmit (Nicole), Jennifer (JJ) Dura, Nick (Ashley) Hochberger, Chris Higgins, Pat Higgins, Dan (Alyssa) Higgins, Kallie McQuiggin, Blade (Rebecca) McQuiggin, Riley McQuiggin, and Lucas Hanley.  Along with 15 Great-Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws Harvey & Geneva Reynolds; six brothers, Donald, Melvin, Robert, Henry, Keith, and Clarence; and five sisters, Catherine, Anna Mae, Emily, Carol, and Marguerite along with many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Avery Foundation – A Dubuque based foundation that helps patients and families pay for incidental costs of cancer treatments. Visit https://www.averyfndtn.org/ for more information.

The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors in Mercy ER, Respiratory Therapy, Elizabeth from Hospice, and especially SSU nurses Natalie, Abbie, and Ellie for their compassionate care.

For further information contact Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, Dubuque, IA 52003, 563-556-6788.