Richard "Dick" Bloxham

Richard “Dick” C. Bloxham, 84, of Waukon died suddenly Saturday, February 6, 2021 at his home in Waukon. Memorial services will be held Thursday, February 11 at 1 p.m. at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, with Pastor Kim Gates and Chuck Bloxham officiating. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until time of services Thursday at the funeral home. In consideration of concerns regarding COVID-19, social distancing and wearing of a mask is required.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Veterans Memorial Hospital in support of the new clinic. Condolences may be sent to Edith Bloxham, 505 Taylor Street, Waukon, IA 52172.

Richard Clarence Bloxham was born May 20, 1936 in Postville, the son of Clarence and Delaney (Ruckhaber) Bloxham. He attended Cherry Valley schools in rural Postville, until his family moved to Waukon where he attended school. After leaving high school, Dick traveled west to work in the fields of Oregon. Upon returning to Iowa, he worked for Stilwell Construction.

May 26, 1956, he married Edith Mary Haas at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Lycurgus. Together they raised seven children. In his early 30s, Dick started Bloxham Construction. During his 30-plus years in business, he successfully built many of the homes in and around Waukon. Dick took pride in his work and was known for quality homes and remodels.

He was a self-taught man. An avid reader, he enjoyed history, science and current events, which meant you could always have a good conversation, or argument, depending how you looked at it. Dick’s interest in history led to his travels to Washington, DC and Gettysburg to see the monuments, and Hawaii to visit Pearl Harbor. In his retirement, he spent his days working in his shop and crafting furniture for his children. His last project was rebuilding the gazebo in his yard over the summer.

He was a man that liked the simple things: a good cup of coffee, a friendly conversation at the City Club, and his daily crossword puzzle. Dick was a kind man and took a special interest in providing shelter and food for stray cats that roamed the neighborhood.  Eventually, each cat had a name and they made his yard their home.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Edith; his children: Richard (Ruth Pfiel), Rhonda Seibert, Bradley (Vicki Byrnes), Ruth Lembke, Julie (Herbert) Snitker, Thomas (Sandra Tweito) and Craig Bloxham; 10 grandchildren: Benjamin, Matthew and Alec Seibert, Joshua and Stuart Bloxham, Trina Cota, Lisa Palmershein, Robert Lembke, Jessica Hirth and Jordan Cunningham; and 32 great-grandchildren, with one due in May; two sisters, Betty May and Lorna (George) Miller; a brother, Ronald Bloxham; and a sister-in-law, Norma Bloxham.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Delaney Bloxham; his granddaughter, Renee Lembke; his brothers, Charles, James and Keith; his brother-in-law, Gene May; and his sisters-in-law, Marilyn Noecker Bloxham and Dorothy Barnett Bloxham.

Honorary casketbearers are Dick’s grandchildren. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.