Jean M. Key, 70, of Dubuque passed away Saturday, August 3, 2024.  Visitation will be Monday, August 12, 2024, from 9 to 10 am at St. Raphael Cathedral followed by a funeral mass at 10 am.  Inurnment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A live stream of the funeral mass can be seen at www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com.

Jean was born December 18, 1953, in Dubuque, IA to George and Dorothy (Jones) Wortley.

On October 2, 1999, Jean married her loving husband, Melvin Key at Washington Park Gazebo, in Dubuque, IA.

Jean graduated from Wahlert High School, with the class of 1972. Jean worked for the Dubuque Community School District as a paraprofessional.  Jean earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and business from the University of Dubuque. She used her degree to go on and work for the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps. Her big heart and drive to care for others ultimately led her back to caring for people by working at Goodwill Industries till her retirement last year.

Jean had a heart of gold and loved to care for and help others.  She was always best known for her big smile, amazing food, and her famous cookies. Jean enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, especially spoiling her grandkids. In her free time, she loved reading, doing crafts and attending concerts with her husband and friends.

Jean is survived by her husband, Melvin Key; seven children, Julie (Dustin) Allendorf, Richard (Ashley) Allendorf, Shelly (TJ) Kalb, Terri Nelson, Jenni (Ben) Thomas, Samantha (Brandon) Key and Blake Sprague; many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Nancy and Thelma Wortley and a very special nephew, Bobby Edminster.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her husband’s parents Loran and Albertina Key; a sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Bob Edminster; six brothers, Geroge, Dick, Jack, Bill, Jim and Robert Wortley; a niece, Tina Weber; a nephew, Dennis Edminster and a great granddaughter, Dani Lee.

The family would like to thank Jean’s dearest friends Ken and Tammy Plowman for their endless love and support they showed Jean and her family. They would also like to thank the 5th floor nursing staff at Unity Point-Finley Hospital and Hospice of Dubuque for the excellent care Jean received.