A Legacy of Giving
A Legacy of Giving
An obituary published almost a year ago reads,“ David W. Leifker, age 74, beloved husband, devoted father, passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2015.” Dave was a friend of the DABG. He was a wellloved gardener, generous with his time and his talent. Dave’ s life of selfless service left a legacy of giving.
Many years ago, a fellow gardener and benevolent neighbor of the Leifkers gave Dave a small, starter hosta plant. This gift germinated seeds of friendship and generosity in the tri-states over the next three decades.
In 1983, Dave joined the Dubuque Regional Hosta Society. Naturally, his passion for growing hostas was nurtured, along with his benevolent spirit. In the 33 years that followed, as a member of the DRHS, Dave adopted a hosta bed at the DABG and spent many hours faithfully tending it. Karen Schwarz, a fellow charter member, said,“ Dave was always a proponent of giving … especially encouraging donations to the DABG. He was the one club member who got the concept of a memorial brick walkway in The Arboretum going.” A large portion of the proceeds from the June 2016 Hosta Society Sale will benefit the extension of a brick walkway from the Herb Garden to the Hosta Show Garden.
Dave also nurtured an extensive hosta collection on the grounds of his home in southwest Wisconsin. When the nursery catalogues came in the mail in January, the grow lights would begin to glow and Dave would officially start the season’ s planting. Splitting, dividing and sharing the fruit of his labors was his delight.
Dave’ s home gardens contained over 800 different varieties of hostas. Some were the result of his hybridization. One especially beautiful hybrid hosta was named“ Barbara Katharina,” in honor of his wife. His wife Barb identifies“ Sum and Substance” as Dave’ s favorite variety.
During his career as an attorney, Dave found release from the pressures of work in the splendor of his hostas and flowers. He also tended vegetables on his home property.“ Dave grew them, nurtured them and cleaned them. I did the cooking,” Barb recalls.
Over the years, the Leifkers have made significant contributions in the propagation of hosta popularity and the development of the DABG. Recently, a lovely Japanese Pagoda was donated to the park from the Leifker gardens. A David Leifker Memorial Lantern has been installed amidst the hostas in the cool shade glade above the Japanese Garden.
Dave will be missed! His memory lives on. The legacy he shared inspires growth and giving in hearts everywhere.
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NOT TAKING THINGS FOR GRANT-ED
The Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens has a lot to be thankful for – all due to grants we have received from local foundations, the City of Dubuque Arts & Culture and from the state of Iowa. With our almost 60 acre campus, greenhouses, water features, Visitor’ s Center, and amphitheatre, it takes almost $ 300,000 annually to run the DABG, maintain all that it holds, build new gardens and host all the events that are held here.
Here is a snapshot of our recently awarded grants: Have you ever had trouble hearing what is said at the Music in the Garden concerts? This summer, we are excited to have a new speaker system in place. MEDIACOM has made it possible to purchase a new, state-of-the-art system. You will be hearing from us soon!
JOHN DEERE FOUNDATION gives us much needed operating funds each year. John Deere has also helped us with the use of equipment, sent workers for clean-up days and many employees regularly volunteer here. A number of John Deere retirees call this their volunteer workplace as well. Thank you!
GREAT GIVE DAY was very successful for the DABG. Our first year, we raised $ 1,800. In 2016, we raised over $ 7,500. This campaign is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.
We would like to extend our brick walkway from the Herb Garden to the Hosta area as well as the Formal English Garden. This will increase handicapped accessibility as well as provide a natural walkway to the main features of the gardens. The WAHLERT FOUNDATION has provided a portion of the funds towards this project. We also have a grant submitted to the DUBUQUE RACING ASSOCIATION. Another partner in the project will be the HOSTA SOCIETY OF DUBUQUE.
We reached our endowment challenge goal!!! Starting at the beginning of last year, we were challenged to double our endowment over a two-year period. We did it in only one year with the help of GENEROUS INDIVIDUALS IN THE DUBUQUE AREA. Our goal was to add $ 90,000 in donations to the Dubuque Arboretum Association through the COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DUBUQUE. Through the IOWA CULTURAL TRUST ENDOWMENT CHALLENGE GRANT, we received an extra $ 30,000 for the endowment. These funds are permanently endowed and the DABG receives 5 % of funds annually for general operating purposes. This has taken us a long way towards continued sustainability. Thank you to all who participated!
In 2017, you will be seeing a new side to the DABG. We will be re-siding the Visitor’ s Center. The planning committee is busy coming up with a new look that will last for years to come. We believe this project will really add to the appeal of the gardens. Thanks goes to the WOODWARD FOUNDATION for making this possible.
We are also grateful that the City of Dubuque places an emphasis on arts and culture. It adds to citizens’ quality of life and the economic growth of the area. Annually, we receive operating funds from the CITY OF DUBUQUE’ S ARTS AND CULTURE GRANT.
Many people cannot believe that we have free admission daily and free summer concerts. We are proud that anyone can come and enjoy the beauty of the DABG.