Ernest M. Gutierrez, age 93, of Dubuque, passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Bethany Home with family by his side.  To celebrate Ernest’s life, services will be held in the spring.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.  Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street is assisting Ernest’s family.

Ernest was born on March 2, 1932, in Nuevas Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico, the son of José Muñoz and Tomasa Gutierrez.

As a young man he came to the United States, working in the fields and as a bus boy.  While moving to different states he also worked on the railroad for many years.  In Minnesota he met Jane Sowell, they courted and then married on August 5, 1957, in Mason City, Iowa.  They were married for 66 ½ years and loved being together.  They complimented each other perfectly, and each had a special role in their lives together.  While living in Illinois he started working at John Deere and was transferred to Dubuque, Iowa in 1972.  He was a line worker and forklift operator, and during layoffs would volunteer for janitorial work.  Ernest was a hard worker and worked to support his family.  He retired after 30 years at John Deere.  Ernest was a member of UAW Local 94 for many years.  He loved to spend time walking by the Mississippi River, and looked forward to trips to Chicago to visit the museums and the shores of Lake Michigan.  He had a great love of nature and animals.  Ernest’s family meant the world to him and he will be greatly missed.

Those left to cherish Ernest’s memory include

5 children,
Jane Gutierrez, Gallatin, TN,
Dora (Scott) Rogers, Dubuque, IA,
Ernest “Ernie” (Trish) Gutierrez, Jacksonville, NC,
Bonnie Gutierrez, Dubuque, IA
and Bertha “Bert” (Rob) Tallman, Bald Knob, AR;

23 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and 3 great great-granddaughters.

Ernest was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 66 ½ years, Jane Gutierrez; a daughter, Nancy Kennedy; a son, Jim Gutierrez; and his siblings, Petra, Macedonia, Magdalena, Maria, Maria Louisa, Angel and Alfredo.

Ernest’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Bethany Home for their loving care of Ernest these past years.  We appreciate you more than words can say!  Also thanks to Hospice of Dubuque for their wonderful care.

Cards and memorials in Ernest’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Ernest Gutierrez Family.

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