Shirley Jean Steger, age 82, of Dubuque and formerly of Balltown, passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at Stonehill Health Center.  To celebrate Shirley’s life, family and friends may visit from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2025,  at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery, Emmetsburg, Iowa, at a later date.

Shirley was born on April 15, 1943, in Emmetsburg, Iowa, the daughter of Emmet and Ruth (Beatty) Brennan.

Shirley graduated from Emmetsburg Catholic High School, Class of 1961.  She married Gerald Steger on October 8, 1966, in Balltown.  She and Gerald had 2 children together before deciding to go their separate ways.  She was employed as an aide with Hills and Dales for 32 years until her retirement.  In her free time, Shirley enjoyed gardening, going to garage sales with Trey and Gabby, playing Bingo, baking and making candy.  She was famous in Balltown for her homemade popcorn balls every Halloween.  She was a social butterfly and made fast friends wherever she went.  Shirley loved her family above all and was very proud of all their accomplishments, something she mentioned frequently to anyone that would listen.  She always looked forward to visits and catching up on what everyone was doing.  She especially enjoyed her chocolate malt deliveries from Zoey and Hailey.  Shirley was a wonderful, hard working woman and we will miss her tremendously.

Those left to cherish Shirley’s memory include

her children,
Kim (Dave) Beckman, Cedar Rapids, IA
and Troy Steger, Dubuque, IA;

4 grandchildren,
Trey (Grace) Beckman, Gabrielle Beckman, Zoey Steger and Hailey Steger;

her siblings,
Bev (Tim) Jackson,
Ruthann (John) Haywood
and Mike Brennan, all of Emmetsburg, IA;

her long time best friend,
Nancy Hyde, Dubuque, IA;

and her nieces and nephews.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Bob (Mary K.) Brennan; and a sister-in-law, Mary P. Brennan.

Shirley’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Stonehill for their wonderful care.

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

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