Gene Alan Stecklein, age 69, of Dubuque passed away on Monday, September 7, 2026, at home surrounded by his loving family.  To celebrate Gene’s life, family and friends may visit from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  Memories and sharing will be held following at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Gene was born on April 4, 1957, in Dubuque, the son of Wilfred and Adele (Dolan) Stecklein.

He was a lifelong resident of Dubuque and graduated from Dubuque Senior High School.  Gene married the love of his life, Theresa Blocklinger on May 3, 1985, at Nativity Catholic Church in Dubuque.

He worked several jobs over the years and was employed with the railroad, the Dubuque Pack, Packer Sanitation, Thermolyne and most recently as a custodian and security guard at Loras College, retiring in 2020.

Gene loved a good spirited game of Euchre with friends, playing golf and watching sports on tv.  He was an accomplished collector over the years of many trinkets.

Those left to cherish Gene’s memory include

his wife,
Theresa Stecklein, Dubuque, IA;

his daughters,
Emily (Colin McCormack) Stecklein, West Des Moines, IA
and Rachel (Scott) VanNatta, Dubuque, IA;

his grandchildren,
Chase and Lyla VanNatta;

and his siblings,
Gary (Diane) Stecklein, Altoona, IA
Terry (Debbie) Stecklein, Dubuque, IA
Jodie Gerhard, East Dubuque, IL
and Donald Stecklein, St. Catherine’s, IA.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his step mother, Mary Rose Stecklein, and a brother-in-law, Dorrance Gerhard.

Gene’s family would like to thank the wonderful staffs of University of Iowa, Mercy One Mercy Hospital, Dr. Mark Runde and Hospice of Dubuque for all of their care, support and understanding.

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

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