Alma M. Thein, age 77, of Dubuque, passed away surrounded by her family on Tuesday, July 2, 2025, at her home.  To celebrate Alma’s life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  There will be a service and a time to share memories at 7:00 p.m.

Alma was born on August 22, 1947, in Santiago Papasquiaro, Durango, Mexico, the daughter of Luis Lopez and Elisa Rodriguez.

Alma met her soulmate, Dale Thein, while he was serving in the military in El Paso.  They married on July 8, 1967, on the Army base in El Paso, Texas.  They had 3 children together and would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary this year.  She was employed as a the Lead in the Wiring Department with Barnstead Thermolyne and Thermographics, until her retirement in 2010.  Alma and Dale were quite the card players and enjoyed attending Euchre Tournaments.  She was also known to engage in a little “retail therapy” from time to time.  Everyone who knew her, knew that Alma’s flower beds were her passion in life.  She had countless flower beds and potted plants all around her home, making it a peaceful oasis.  Alma definitely loved family time.  She always looked forward to spending time with the extended group whenever she could.  We are deeply saddened at losing our wonderful wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma, but know that she is now resting peacefully free from her health issues.

Those left to cherish Alma’s memory include

her husband,
Dale Thein, Dubuque, IA;

3 children,
Jessica (Shane) Picker, East Dubuque, IL,
Bobbi Jo Thein, Clinton, IA
and Mark Thein, Dubuque, IA;

7 grandchildren,
Zach Picker, Zane Picker, Shana Thein, Elijah Osterhaus, Ricki (Wyatt) Sharkey, Evan Herbst and Xavier Thein;

5 great-grandchildren,
Emmitt Thein, Rayden Arensdorf, Adam Arensdorf, Theo Thein and Parker Osterhaus;

4 siblings,
Beverly (Dave) Clark, Indianapolis, IN,
Robert (Margaret) Hardy,
Ron (Chirley) Hardy
and Russell (Anna) Hardy, all of The Woodlands, TX;

and a sister-in-law,
Janelle Thein, Dubuque, IA.

Alma was preceded in death by her parents; her mother who raised her, Elizabeth Cazares Hardy; a brother, Clayton Hardy; and her in-laws, Shirley (Alvin) Marshall, Janet (John) Kirkpatrick, Arthur Thein and Melvin Thein.

Alma’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the ICU and 5th floor of UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital and Hospice of Dubuque for their outstanding care.

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

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