Jane Marie Bechen, 76 of Dubuque passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, December 10, 2023. Visitation will be held from 3 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 13 at the Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home, 2659 Kennedy Road in Dubuque, Iowa where there will be a parish wake service at 6:30 p.m.  Visitation will also be held Thursday from 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Peosta, where Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m.  A live stream of the funeral mass may be watched at www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com.

Jane was born on February 12, 1947 in Dyersville, Iowa, daughter of Albert and Lucille (Jasper) Schindler.  She was a graduate of Xavier High School in Dyersville and a 1994 graduate of Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC).

On February 16, 1996, she married Tom Bechen in Peosta, Iowa.  Jane was a devoted woman of faith and was an active member of St. John the Baptist Church, Peosta. She served in many roles at the parish including lector, sacristan, Eucharistic Minister, and the Social Justice Committee Past President.

Jane’s passion for reading and literacy inspired her to work most of her career in libraries, including serving as Director of the Delhi Public Library and at NICC.  During her time at NICC, Jane served on the NICC Foundation Board of Directors as Past President and was the proud recipient of the Alumni Hall of Fame.

Jane also volunteered and shared her skills at the Seton School Library in Peosta, Iowa and the Shalom Spirituality Center in Dubuque, Iowa.  Jane served as the Past President at the Friends of Dubuque County Library District.  Jane’s love and passion for reading was passed down to many.  She entertained and inspired many at the library’s story hours and was a puppeteer for ‘Kids on the Block’.  Jane also served as the Past President of the Dyersville Area Historical Society and wrote many grants for the organization to help beautify the beloved town where she grew up.

In addition to Jane’s professional and philanthropic achievements, she was also a loving wife, mom, grandma, sister, and cherished friend to many.  Jane’s smile and positivity could light up a room and her organization skills were admired by all who knew her.  Jane leaves a legacy of love, generosity and kindness.

Those left to cherish Jane’s memory are her husband Tom, daughters Kristi (Dean) De Noma of Marshall, Wisconsin, Stacey (Justin) McCurnin of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; step-daughters Toni (Dave) Luber of Peosta, Iowa and Lori (Dr. Tom) Hueser of Bettendorf, Iowa; step-son Tim (Jenna) Bechen of Midlothian, Virginia.  Grandchildren, Anna and Madeline Luber, Reagan McCurnin, Emily and Sam Hueser; Sisters Dar Schinder and Rosie (Chuck) Spielman, brother Roy Schindler, sister-in-law Theresa Schindler, sister by heart Joan Lahr; in-laws Kathy (Doug) Avery, Susie (Wally) Kotz, Dan Bechen and Julie (Kevin) Hammel.

She is also survived by extended family, The Beadles, Connie (Ed) Kelly, Steve Breitbach, Donna Beadle, Loras (Deb) Beadle, Julie (Kevin) Behning, Rick (Lynn) Beadle, Kelly (Paul Schumacher) Mayne, John (Siva) Beadle, and Jolene (Ben) Oppelt.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, brother Charlie Schindler, sister-in-law Ruth Schindler and nephews Dale and Rick Schindler.

In lieu of flowers, a Scholarship at NICC in Jane’s name will be the recipient of any memorials.

The family would like to thank Mark Hermann, MD and nurse Kelli and all the nurses and staff at Hospice of Dubuque for their loving care.