Tina M. Henkels, age 54, of Dubuque, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at 7:47 p.m., on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Sunnycrest Manor.  To honor Tina’s life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., on Monday, November 27, 2023, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at Behr Funeral Home, with Deacon David Roth officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Tina was born on October 3, 1969, in Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of Dave and Pam (Brandel) Henkels.

Tina graduated from Hempstead High School.  She was born with Down Syndrome, but didn’t let that slow her down or keep her from spreading joy to all those around her. She had many employment opportunities through Vocational Rehab in Dubuque, but her favorite job was sorting cans for several years at Center Redemption.  Tina loved to dance, play cards, work on paperwork, watch movies and listen to music.  She enjoyed going boot scooting and socializing with all her friends.  Tina truly was a social butterfly and made friends wherever she went.  She loved to travel with her family, especially their trip to Hawaii. Tina was a sweet and kind person and we will deeply miss her.

Those left to cherish Tina’s memory include

her parents,
Pam Smothers, Dubuque, IA
and Dave Henkels, Dubuque, IA;

her siblings,
David (Mickie) Henkels, Dubuque, IA,
Dan (Sarah) Henkels, Dubuque, IA,
Mandy (David) DeMuth, Dubuque, IA,
Michael (Wendy) Smothers, Youngstown, NC
and Lance (Jill Jahnke) Smothers, Dubuque, IA;

her nieces and nephews,
Tyler Winders, Kaitlyn (Jacob Ambrosy) Henkels, Kylie (Spencer) Sahm, Camden (Michael Husemann) Henkels, Blake Henkels, Dalton (Katie Knockel) Kohn, Kinslee DeMuth and Mason DeMuth;

her aunt and uncles,
Kim Knutson, Steve (Donna) Brandel and Kevin (Joan Lindsay) Brandel;

her cousins,
Katie, Jenny, Kyle (Megan) and Jessie Knutson.

Tina was preceded in death by her step-father, Steve Smothers; her grandparents, Gladys and Leo Henkels and Virginia and Harold Brandel; and an uncle, Richard “Chip” Knutson.

Tina’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Sunnycrest for the loving care they provided for Tina.  Also a special thank you to her aunt, Kim Knutson, for all of her years of care and support, specifically the last few weeks.  They also want to thank Hospice of Dubuque for making Tina’s final days comfortable.

The family will thankfully receive your support through greeting cards and memorials in Tina’s memory which may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Tina Henkels Family.

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