Nora R. Gierens, age 77, of Dubuque, Iowa, was called home peacefully at 3:05 a.m., on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. To honor Nora’s life, funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon, on Monday, April 9, 2018, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 1780 White Street, with Pastor Pamela Starr officiating. To celebrate Nora’s life, family and friends may visit from 11:00 a.m., until the time of services at 12:00 noon, on Monday, April 9, 2018, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery. Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, is in charge of arrangements.

Nora was born on August 9, 1940, in Paris, Illinois, daughter of Archie and Carrie Elizabeth (Blodgett) Hickel.

Nora was born and raised in Paris, Illinois, before eventually moving to Dubuque and putting down roots of her own and raising her family. She was a very hard worker who put her natural talents and abilities to use first, as a waitress and housekeeper at the Chateau, and lastly with the housekeeping team at the Diamond Jo Casino; where she would invest over 20 years of her time until her well earned retirement had finally arrived. In her free-time, Nora enjoyed the simple pleasures in life; such as taking a leisurely walk on a beautiful day, or curling up comfortably on the sofa to watch one of her favorite tv programs. She also had a great love and affinity for angels and dolls and was continually on the lookout for another piece to add to her ever-growing collection. Nora’s faith was very important to her also as she was a devoted and long-time member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Most of all though, she loved to spend quality time with her family and friends and any chance to congregate with them brought Nora great joy within the confines of her heart and mind. We are deeply saddened today at the loss of our dearly sweet mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, but gratefully discover some comfort in the fact that her loving memories will carry us through the sorrowful days ahead, and the knowledge that we will all eventually be reunited again, one day, in our eternal home in heaven.

Those left to cherish Nora’s memory include

her children,
Robert Bradley (Taci) Phillips, Chesapeake, VA,
Cindy Jo (Tim) Hansen, Plainfield, IL,
Marshall (Denise) Gierens, Elgin, IL
and Tammy (Chad) Olson, Stockton, IL;

10 grandchildren,
Eric (Sarah) Gierens, Vincent (Danielle) Gierens, Alek Hayes, Austyn Hayes, Andrew Hayes, Avery Hayes, Arianna Hayes, Madison Olson, Chelsea Olson and Walker Olson;

5 great-grandchildren,
Raelynn Gierens, Toby Gierens, Chance Gierens, Noah Gierens and Levi Gierens;

and her sisters,
Judy (Ronald) Smith, Paris, IL
and Emma (Steve) Franklin, Japan.

Nora was preceded in death by her parents; and 2 sisters, Rosalie Bennett and Patricia Copsy.

A Nora R. Gierens memorial fund has been established, which will be distributed among her favorite charities.

Nora’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff of Finley Hospital for all of their kind and professional care of Nora and her family.

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