James A. “Jim” Behrens, age 68, of Dubuque, passed away at 5:24 a.m., on Monday, December 12, 2022, at MercyOne Dubuque.  To honor Jim’s life, private family services were held.  Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, is assisting Jim’s family.

Jim was born on July 12, 1954, on Scott AFB in Illinois, son of Gerald E. and Anna M. (Cannella) Behrens.

Jim grew up in St. Louis and attended Cleveland High School before he entered the military where he honorably served his country with the U.S. Army during Vietnam.  He was married to Debby Moeller in 1980, in Carondellet Park in St. Louis and they had 2 daughters together.  Jim worked on the Mississippi as a barge pilot for several years and after retiring began bartending at Next Phase Bar in Dubuque.  Jim had a deep passion for music and playing his harmonicas, which numbered in the hundreds.  He could often be heard playing professionally at the bar on karaoke nights.  He had an ear for music and could add harmonica seamlessly to any song.  Jim loved his family and friends and spending time with them was his favorite thing to do. In his free time, Jim also enjoyed riding his Harley, camping, kayaking, white water rafting, shooting guns, driving his dune buggy, riding his 4 wheelers and enjoying a nice cold beer with friends. Jim had a great sense of humor and enjoyed making people laugh.  He will be greatly missed.

Those left to cherish Jim’s memory include

2 daughters,
Chelsey Behrens, Ft. Myers, FL
and Dana Frances, St. Louis, MO;

his grandchildren,
Antonio Vitale, Naudia Campbell and Oliver Frances;

a great-grandson,
Kayden Vitale;

his siblings,
Joanie (Brad) Wilson, St. Louis, MO
Jackie (Helen) Tolbert, of Texas;

3 step-brothers,
Edward, David and Danny Behrens.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, Walter Ubert Cox; and a step-brother, Russell Cox.

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