Obituary of Tyler James Gaul

LUXEMBURG, IOWA Tyler James Gaul, 23 year old son of Thomas and Martina (Becker) Gaul, went home to be with Jesus Friday, Apr. 4, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque after a long battle with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Friends may call from 2:00 - 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, Apr. 8, 2014, at the Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville where a parish vigil service will be held at 4:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Apr. 9, 2014, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Luxemburg with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Jose Comparan will officiate with Rev. Richard Gaul concelebrating and Deacon Bill Black assisting. T.J. was born August 18, 1990, in Dubuque the son of Thomas and Martina (Becker) Gaul. He was raised on, and took a great interest in the family dairy farm east of Luxemburg, often giving advice to his father and brothers. He was diagnosed with Duchenne MD in 1995, and attended RHCL Catholic Grade School and graduated from Western Dubuque High School with the Class of 2009. He attended a semester at NICC until his physical condition prevented continuation. T.J. loved sports and acted as a manager for some of his high school teams. One of his favorite pastimes was watching the Minnesota Vikings, the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs. He participated in the High School Choir and dreamed of performing with the Show Choir. He was familiar with many wonderful nurses and caregivers who enjoyed (endured) being harassed by him. Finally, in August of 2013, his declining health necessitated a move to Sunnycrest Manor in Dubuque where he spent his final days.We are very grateful to all of these people who have helped T.J. and our family. He is survived by his parents; 3 brothers, Brandon, Dillon (friend Katie Koopmann) and Nathan Gaul, all at home; maternal grandparents, David and Mary (Gillingham) Sandell of Whittemore, Carol (Derby) Smith of Sioux City; paternal grandparents, Lawrence and Dolores (Wente) Gaul of Epworth; a maternal great-grandmother, Eleanor (Peterson) Miller of Lake Mills; Aunts and Uncles: John (Jayna) Becker of Boone, Melissa (Dave) Fisher of Bronson, Linda (friend Mike Bauer) Gaul of Brownsburg, IN, Craig Gaul and Jay (Lora) Gaul, both of New Vienna, and Jennifer (friend Chris Hetzler) Gaul of Rochester, MN, and numerous cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his great-grandparents and aunts and uncle, Angela Marie Becker, Angela Kay Gaul, Jean Ellen Gaul and Matthew Joseph Gaul.