Jack J. Wathen, age 98, of Dubuque, passed away on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Ennoble Nursing and Rehabilitation.  To honor Jack’s life, family and friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  Private family burial will be in Dubuque Memorial Gardens where military honors will be accorded by the American Legion Dubuque Post 6.

Jack was born on September 13, 1926, in Olwein, Iowa, the son of Clyde L. and Edith B. (Hansel) Wathen.

Jack honorably served his country during WWII with the U.S. Army from July 1944 until November 1946.  He married the love of his life, Nettie Jacobs, on November 19, 1946, in Phenix City, Alabama.  They were blessed with 67 years together before Nettie passed away on October 26, 2013.  Jack was a workaholic.  He was employed with the Dubuque Packing Company and F.D.L. Foods as a Smoke Tender for 40 years, while simultaneously working at Phillips 66 and K-Mart Automotive.  He was a long time member of Local #150 Meat Cutters and an original founding member of the Tri-State Antique Automobile Club.  Restoring cars was his passion.  Jack was also a hard core Euchre player who has won several tournaments around Dubuque throughout the years.

Those left to cherish Jack’s memory include

his children,
Jackie K. Powers, Dubuque, IA,
Jerry L. Wathen, Dubuque, IA
and Jan M. (Teresa Yates) Wathen, Kosciusco, MS;

3 grandchildren,
Jamie M. Wathen, Stacia S. Wathen, and Tracy J. Powers;

5 great-grandchildren,
Hannah Wathen, Emily Almanzo, Emma Powers, William Powers and Brady Powers;

and a brother-in-law,
Louis Teucke.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Nettie Wathen; a daughter, Mary Wathen, in infancy; and his siblings, Janet “Janie” Teucke, James (Lois) Wathen and Clayton (Ruth) Wathen.

Jack’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Ennoble Nursing and Rehabilitation and Care Initiatives Hospice, for their professional and compassionate care.  Also a special thanks to his “adopted daughter”, Marilyn Roling, for her years of friendship and support.

The family requests no flowers.  Greeting cards and memorials in Jack’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Jack Wathen Family.

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