Irene E. “Toots” (Gottshalk) Herbst, age 90, of Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 10:30 p.m., on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at Bethany Home, surrounded by her loving family. To honor Toot’s life, funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, December 22, 2018, at the Church of the Resurrection, 4300 Asbury Road, with Rev. Phillip G. Gibbs officiating. To celebrate Toot’s life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Friday, December 21, 2018, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, where there will be a parish scripture service held at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery.

Toots was born on November 27, 1928, in Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of Henry and Mabel (Hedrick) Gottshalk.

Toots was united in marriage to the love of her life, Leo Herbst, on June 14, 1952, at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and they were blessed with 54 years together and 5 wonderful children, before Leo was called home ahead of her on February 20, 2007. She was a devoted wife and mother, but also shared her talents outside of the home working at Four Mounds, Burdens, the Battery Factory and Ponderosa Restaurant. Toots was a faith filled woman and a long-time member of the Church of the Resurrection, as well as a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Toots loved the outdoors, and had an undeniable green thumb, tending to a large garden and several beautiful flower beds every summer. She also enjoyed a day out on the water fishing and giving the guys a run for their money when it came to catching the biggest fish. Toots also had a playfully competitive side and enjoyed a spirited game of Euchre whenever the opportunity arose. She had an adventurous spirit, and Toots and Leo loved traveling the country visiting new places and taking in all the sights. Family was always the most important thing in her world, and Toots cherished any chance she had to spend time with Leo, the children, and eventually the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always making sure everyone knew how special and loved they were. Our hearts are saddened today at losing such a kind, thoughtful, loving mom, grandma, great-grandma and sister. We feel very blessed for the 90 years Toots was here walking on this Earth with us, and take some comfort in knowing that she and dad are reunited for their 1st Christmas in their Heavenly home.

Those left to cherish Toot’s memory include

her children,
Randy (Sandra) Herbst, Belgrade, MT,
Rick (Joan) Herbst, Durango, IA,
Terry (Dennis) Bellmann, Dubuque, IA,
Ron (Deb) Herbst, Sherrill, IA
and Tina (Mike) Longsdorf, EauClaire, WI;

her 17 grandchildren;

her 28 great-grandchildren;

her sisters-in-law,
Dorothy Gottschalk,
Anita (Jim) Gulyash
and Sylvia Dietz;

and her brothers-in-law,
Leroy Bettcher
and John “Bill” Theisen.

Toots was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leo Herbst; her brother, Earl Gottschalk; a sister, Jeanette Bettcher; and her in-laws, Florence (Charles) Weiland, Arlene (Charles) Chapman, Roselyn (Tom) Erlich, Lavonne (Leo) Abitz, Betty Theisen and Kenneth Dietz.

Toots’ family would like to thank the outstanding staff of Bethany Home for all of their loving care and support of Toots and her entire family.

Memorials will be accepted by the family to be distributed among her favorite charities.

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