Ileen M. (Fritsch) Klein, age 85, of Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 3:30 p.m., on Monday, December 17, 2018, at home, surrounded by her loving family. To honor Ileen’s life, private family funeral services were held at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street. Burial was in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Ileen was born on October 15, 1933, in Bankston, Iowa, daughter of Nicholas and Sophia (Bartels) Fritsch.

Ileen was born and raised in Bankston, where she graduated from St. Clement’s High School. Ileen was united in marriage to the love of her life, LaVern Klein, on April 20, 1954, at St. Clement’s Church in Bankston, Iowa. The two were blessed with 64 wonderful years together and 5 adored children. Ileen was a full time wife and mother, but also put her talents to good use with the Dubuque Community School District in the food service department for several years until her retirement. She was a faith filled woman and a long time member of St. Patrick’s Church and Rosary Society, the Catholic Daughters of America and The Power of Prayer. Family, was by far, the most important aspect of Ileen’s life, and also brought the most joy to her days. She cherished any time spent with LaVern and the children, and was over the moon when the grandchildren started coming along. Ileen was always happy to be the “go to” babysitter, any time the opportunity arose. We are deeply saddened at losing our sweet, loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister, but take some comfort in the fact that she is now free of the health issues she has faced with such courage and strength these past months, and will be celebrating Christmas in Heaven this year with all of her loved ones called home ahead of her.

Those left to cherish Ileen’s memory include

her loving husband,
LaVern Klein, Dubuque, IA;

her children,
Dixie (Lloyd) Tigges, Peosta, IA,
Corey (Connie) Klein, Dubuque, IA,
Scott (Kelly) Klein, Peosta, IA
and Bret (Rose) Klein, Dubuque, IA;

her grandchildren,
Cody and Courtney Klein, Jake and Grace Klein, Allison, Sophia, Jarrett and Emma Klein;

and a great-granddaughter,
Zoey Klein.

Ileen was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Roxanne Klein; and her siblings, Olivia (Francis) George, Marie Meehan, Nicholas (Lamerne) Fritsch, Arnold (Grace) Fritsch, Elmer Fritsch, and Ferdinand Fritsch.

Ileen’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Brian Sullivan and his nurse Robin, Dr. Christine Holm and her staff, and the nurses and staff of Hospice of Dubuque, especially Jenni and Julie, for their outstanding support and care of Ileen and her entire family.

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