Dick D. Juelfs, age 86, of Cushing, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Golden Horizons Assisted Living of Ida Grove, Iowa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., with a Rosary at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Danbury, Iowa. Father William A. McCarthy will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery of Mapleton, Iowa, with Military Rites.
A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Friday, February 27, 2026, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa.
The Van Houten Funeral Homes of Ida Grove and Mapleton, Iowa, are in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dick’s name may be made to the family to be divided amongst organizations in his beloved Cushing, Iowa.
Dick D. Juelfs, the son of Anson “Hans” and Della Mae (Walrod) Juelfs, was born on June 24, 1939, on the family farm near Cushing, Iowa. He received his education from Cushing High School. After graduation he was drafted in to the U.S. Army as a heavy weapons infantryman serving from 1961-1963. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to Cushing.
On November 7, 1964, Dick married the love of his life, Sharon A. “Sherry” Uhl, in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Danbury, Iowa. The couple settled down on the Juelfs family farm south of Cushing and welcomed six children: Karla, Gerard, Leah, Lance “Buck”, Brent, and Christopher.
Dick devoted many years to farming. During that time, he learned the trade of welding at Wilson Trailer. He would later join GOMACO as a welder, where he worked for more than 30 years before his retirement.
A cowboy at heart, Dick had a deep love for his horses and took great pride in teaching his children—and later his grandchildren—how to ride. He played in both slow-pitch and fast-pitch softball leagues for many years and was a dedicated member of the Cushing American Legion Post #624 as well as a faithful parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Danbury.
Above all else, Dick treasured his family. He and Sherry were always on the move, attending their children’s and later their grandchildren’s events. They loved gathering everyone together and creating lasting memories. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Left to cherish his memory include his children Karla (James) Meier of Holstein, IA, Gerard Juelfs of Anderson, TX, Leah (Randy) Cauthron of Spencer, IA, Lance “Buck” (Becky) Juelfs of Ida Grove, IA and Brent Juelfs of Washington, IA; 16 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Mary Uhl and LaVonne (Ray) Friedrichsen both of Mapleton, IA; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Hans and Della Juelfs; his wife Sharon “Sherry” Juelfs; son Christopher Juelfs; granddaughter MaKenna Juelfs; siblings Darlene, Dale, Delbert, Duane, Don, and Dixie.
