Joyce A. Duehr, age 87, of Dubuque, IA, completed her earthly journey on September 13, 2026, at home while surrounded by her loving family.  To honor Joyce’s life, a private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  Burial will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery.  The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Joyce’s family.

Joyce was born on July 27, 1939, in Dubuque, IA, a daughter to Sylvester and Esther (Lang) Winner.  Joyce attended St. Columbkille’s Catholic School through high school and graduated in 1957.  On October 1, 1960, she was united in marriage to William J. Duehr, Jr. They were blessed with 8 children, sadly losing their first born son in 1969.  They later divorced.

Joyce was a stay-at-home mom for many years until most of her children were in high school.  She then learned how to drive and began working at Zayre in the fabric department and later had several cleaning jobs.

She was also a girl scout troop leader for several years while her daughters were young.  Joyce fell in love with horses and was proud to have owned many of them throughout her life.  She rode with the Denim Sweethearts Riding Club in Hazel Green for many years.  Besides horses, Joyce owned several dogs through the years which all brought her happiness.  Bird watching was something she enjoyed.  She especially loved flowers and her visits to the Dubuque Arboretum and the Bellevue Butterfly Garden.

Traveling was something she loved to do for as long as she was able and her many trips out west were the ones she enjoyed the most.  Joyce was an avid reader throughout her life until it became difficult for her to continue.

She loved her years living at the farm in East Dubuque where she and Larry had their horses, and she enjoyed time there with family having pool parties and bonfires.  The grandkids enjoyed her Valentine’s Day parties there also.  She and Larry had a camper and spent many weekends camping with friends.  Selling the farm and eventually the camper were very difficult on her as that chapter of her life was coming to a close.

Joyce was a huge fan of country music, the Cubs, NASCAR and the color purple.  She had a sense of humor and was downright stubborn, both of which probably helped her to hang on for the last few years.

Those left to cherish the memory of Joyce include her significant other of 30 years, Larry Pettit, Asbury, IA; her 7 children, Lorlee (Javier) Servin, Tina (Ron) Tallman, Lisa Duehr, Tracy Duehr, Scott Duehr, David Duehr, and Nick Duehr, all of Dubuque, IA; her 16 grandchildren, Randy, Talia, Nico, Keera (Josh), Rainy, Carissa, Autumn, Ruby, Naomi, Damon, Sage, Sunshine, Anthony (Hannah), Brice, Christian and Khloe; her 5 great-grandchildren, Ella, Ivy, Isla, Nova and Nehemiah; her siblings, Joan (Dewayne) Lattner, Dubuque, IA, Janice Brehm, Durango, IA, James Winner, Boise, ID, and Jill (Rick) Streif, Bernard, IA; along with numerous extended family and friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Randy Duehr; her grandson, Tony Murphy; and her brother-in-law, Robert Brehm.

Joyce’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Hospice of Dubuque for all of their professional and compassionate care.

Online condolences may be shared with Joyce’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com