Steve Smith (1952-2019)

SMITH

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 4/24/2019 at 10:31:50

Steve "Gomer" Smith, 66, of Asbury Iowa passed away on Saturday April 20th at Unity Point Finley Hospital Surrounded by family. He succumbed to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision.

Friends may greet the family from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at Peosta Community Centre, 7896 Burds Rd., Peosta, where there will be an "Irish Send-Off" beginning at 6 p.m. Private burial will take place at Asbury Cemetery. Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home, 3860 Asbury Rd. is entrusted with arrangements.

Steve was born on April 27th 1952 at Xavier Hospital in Dubuque to Joseph and Kathleen "Kay" Smith of Bankston Iowa. He graduated from St. Joseph's High School in Farley Iowa in 1970. He graduated from Loras College in 1974.

Upon graduation he and his brother Joe started Gomer's Bar on University Avenue. It was at Gomer's bar that he met his first wife Martha Bloechl. They were married on February 26th 1977 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Dubuque. In 1977 Gomer started Pickle Barrel Subs. Both the bar and sub shops became successful and he was able to transition into multiple commercial and residential real estate ventures in Dubuque.

Gomer was a member of the Clarke/Loras Singers and toured all over Europe signing under the direction of his dear friend John Lease.

Steve also served many years on the board of directors of East Dubuque Savings Bank. He was a member of Dubuque Shooting Society 660 where he got to spend many Thursday nights with his amazing friends who he called his "Financial Advisors." He was also a member of Thunder Hills Country Club where he enjoyed Friday night dinners and watching his grandchildren swim at the pool.
Gomer was an avid Boston Celtics fan especially the greatest forward in Basketball history, Larry Bird.

He frequently contributed to many charities around Dubuque never asking for his name to be attached to any donation. He never sought praise, accolades or awards. He was humble, kind and good-natured.

In 2018 Gomer was given the miracle of life in the form of an organ donation from Sarah Jochum, daughter of Tom and Pam Jochum. He carried Sarah's spirit with him for the last eight months of his life and became a strong advocate for organ and tissue donation causes.

Gomer enjoyed his antique cars, jukeboxes, and collectibles. He loved the outdoors and cherished watching the sunsets off in the distance from his porch knowing that it was setting over Bankston and his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his wife Martha. His children Jamie (Amber) Smith of Peosta, Mollie of Asbury, Jodi (David) Annis of Minnetonka Minnesota, His brother Richard (Joyce) Smith of Dubuque, sister Sue (Tom) Batell of LaCrosse Wisconsin, brother Joe (Ann) Smith of Peosta, sister Ann (Kevin) Grogan of Cascade, brother Jack (Maria) Smith of Bankston. His sisters in law Barb (Nick) Horn of East Dubuque Illinois, Georgia (Les) Johns of Potosi Wisconsin, brother in law Charles (Christine) Bloechl of Rockford Illinois, sister in law Julie (Kevin) Kriebs of West Branch Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Kathleen Smith and his in laws Erwin and Bernice Bloechl as well as his beloved aunts and Uncles especially Charlie, Herbie, Ray and George and his very special nieces Jennifer Johns and Rachel Schuster. He also recently lost one of his best friends Loren Larson of Dubuque.

His greatest joys in life were his wife, children and Grandchildren Kayleigh, Addison and Cooper Smith and Leo and June Annis.

The family would like to thank the Dubuque County Sheriff's Department, Asbury Fire Department especially Jim Abitz. The staff at Unity-Point Finley Hospital especially, in the Emergency Room and Intensive Care Units and Chaplain Jim who was always at our side. His internist Dr. Benjamin Kumor. The staff at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Julie Heimbach, Dr. Charles Rosen, Dr. Sumera Rizvi, Tammy Kremers ARNP and the rest of the liver transplant team at Mayo Clinic.

In lieu of flowers please send any memorials to the Mayo Clinic, The Gift of Life Transplant House or the Iowa Donor Network.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hskfh.com