Maria J. Sutton, age 50, of Dubuque, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 14, 2025. To celebrate Maria’s life, family and friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until 12:45 p.m., on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m., on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery.

Maria was born on December 25, 1974, in the Olongapo City, Philippines, the daughter of David and Excelsa “Elsa” (Pabila) Sutton.

Maria graduated from Dubuque Senior High School and then attended NICC classes to learn phlebotomy.  At age 16, Maria taught swimming lessons at the YMCA.  After school, she went to work as a hostess at the Olive Garden, at Houlihan’s as a cook and as a lead instructor at Area Residential Care.  In her free time she enjoyed watching TV.  Maria’s favorite shows included Anime, NCIS, CSI and Bones.  She also enjoyed Japanese, Korean and Superhero movies.  She had a green thumb and liked to grow vegetables and flowers.  She especially loved her orchids.  She loved cooking and looked forward to creating tasty dishes in the kitchen for her family and friends.  Maria also liked going for walks down by the river and at the mall, where she was always on the lookout for a new pair of shoes.  Maria was a kind and loving person and we will miss her more than words can say.

Those left to cherish Maria’s memory include

her children,
LaTrease (Rameal Choice) Sutton-Smith, Dubuque, IA,
Ezikieal (Emily Marks) McCalip, Marion, IA
and Elijah McCalip, Dubuque, IA;

her parents,
David and Elsa Sutton, Dubuque, IA;

her brother,
Jay (Melissa) Sutton, Machesney Park, IL;

and a grandson on the way,
Elias McCalip.

Maria was preceded in death by her grandparents.

Maria’s family would like to thank Dr. Whalen, the staff of Tri-State Dialysis, and the nurses and staff of Hawkeye Care Center, for their outstanding care and compassion.

Cards and memorials in Maria’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Maria Sutton Family.

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