Barbara S. Dague, age 83, of Dubuque, IA, formerly of Sabula, Clinton and Maquoketa, completed her earthly journey on April 25, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.  To honor Barb, a Celebration of Life will be held on May 17, 2025, at Boyer Hall, Jackson Co. Fairgrounds, Maquoketa.  A private family graveside service will be held at Reeseville Cemetery in Green Island, on June 12, 2025, which would have been Barb and Wayne’s 65th wedding anniversary.  The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving the family.

Barb was born on December 4, 1941, in Savanna, IL, daughter to Aksel and Mae Lovina (House) Johnson.  In her early years, Barb enjoyed working in the family store and making deliveries with her Dad.  Barb loved music, playing the piano and guitar, participating in school band, and was a tap dancer who, along with her sister made appearances on the local radio show.  She eventually met and married the love of her life, I. Wayne Dague on June 12, 1960.  They were blessed with two daughters to love, guide, and nurture.  They had over 55 wonderful years together until Wayne passed in 2015.  The couple worked hard and still made time for cards, horses, dancing, civic involvement, and pursuing their passions.  Barb was a beautician by trade, an instructor at the Professionals Academy of Science & Beauty, and even dabbled in retail and restaurant work.  Barb was a talented seamstress and applied her creative gifts while employed at Timber City Trophy.

She was a long-time and faithful member of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Sabula, a proud member of the Rebekah Lodge and a supporter of the East Central School Boosters.  Barb had a green-thumb and one of her beautiful African Violets was recognized at the county fair.  Barb loved her pets, baking cookies and time at the card table, whether playing for fun or competing for bragging rights.  Family and friends were familiar with her sassy and feisty demeanor but never doubted her commitment to finish the job, and to help others pursue their goals and to stay on the straight and narrow path.  Barb’s love was evidenced by the encouragement she offered through helpful words that, at times, felt more like a cattle prod or a 2 X 4.

Those left to cherish Barb’s memory and to carry on Barb and Wayne’s legacy are:

her two loving daughters,
Dagmar (Rick) Merfeld, Dubuque, IA,
and Amanda (Paul) Hook, Fulton, IL;

her ten adored grandchildren,
Erick Merfeld, Dubuque, IA,
Elijah (Sasha) Merfeld, Asbury, IA,
Ehren (Naomi) Merfeld, Oakdale, MN,
Alexandra Herink, Des Moines, IA,
Sean (Sydney) Hook, Marble Hill, MO,
Genevieve Hook, San Diego, CA,
Miah Hook, Clinton, IA,
Bella and Hannah Hook, Fulton, IL,
and Lila Hook, Fulton, IL;

her cherished great-grandchildren,
Sophia Schultz, Brayden and Easton Merfeld, Asbury, IA,
Sawyer and Sullivan Merfeld, Oakdale, MN,
Miah’s baby boy due in August, Clinton, IA,
and “bonus great grand”, Anastasia Smith, Iowa City, IA;

her sister,
Jolinda Hendrix, Tuckerton, NJ;

her in-laws,
Jane Dague, Robert Adney, and Shirley Dague, all of Maquoketa, IA;

along with nieces, nephews, numerous extended family and friends.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, I. Wayne; her in-laws, Ival and Helen Dague; brothers-in-law, C. Thomas Hendrix, Ronald “Ross” Dague, Sr., Darrell Manning, and Darrell “Pink” Dague; her sisters-in-law, Delores “Sis” Manning, Ella Adney, and Myrna Dague; her nephew, Christopher Hendrix; and her nieces, Marcia Lyons and Diane Dague.

The family thanks the staff at Hawkeye Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque for their compassionate care, along with the excellent service and extraordinary empathy of Dr. Caceres and staff.  Special thanks to Charalin Simons for her blessings the past two years.

Online condolences may be shared with Barb’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com