Jane M. Gutierrez, age 82, of Dubuque, passed away peacefully at 1:00 a.m., on Saturday, February 17, 2024, surrounded by family at Bethany Home. 

To honor Jane’s life, family and friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until 12:45 p.m., on Friday, February 23, 2024, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Friday at Behr Funeral Home, with Deacon Bill Biver officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Jane was born on May 10, 1941, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, daughter of Elvester and Irene (Eckert) Sowell Sr.  

Jane met the love of her life, Ernesto Gutierrez, at an early age and the couple would marry on August 5, 1957, in Mason City, Iowa.  They have been truly blessed with 7 children and 66 years together.  Jane was a fantastic wife and mom who took great pride in caring for her family and home.  She worked outside of her home at Kwik Stop, Casey’s, as a cook at the Riverview Hotel in Bellevue, the Carriage House Café, and did catering in the Quad Cities.  Jane was never one to sit still, also volunteering in her community cooking and delivering Meals on Wheels.  She was a wiz in the kitchen and everyone loved her homemade bread.  When she had some free time Jane liked to go to the local casinos to try her luck with family and friends and attending Bingo at Bethany.  She also enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles and working seek and find puzzles.  Above all Jane loved spending time with her close knit family.  She always looked forward to family picnics and getting everyone together for Christmas, her favorite holiday.  Jane was a wonderful wife, mom, grandma and sister.  She will be missed tremendously.

Those left to cherish Jane’s memory include: her husband, Ernesto Gutierrez, Dubuque, IA; 6 children, Jane Gutierrez, Gallatin, TN, Dora (Scott) Rogers, Dubuque, IA, Ernest (Trish) Gutierrez, Jacksonville, NC, Bonnie Gutierrez, Dubuque, IA, and Jim Gutierrez, Kensington, MD and Bertha (Rob) Tallman, Bald Knob, AR; 21 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and 2 great great-granddaughters; a brother, Elvester (Esther) Sowell Jr., Kansas City, KS; and a son-in-law, Dan Kennedy, Elkton, SD.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Nancy Kennedy; and a brother, Alvester Sowell.

Jane’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Bethany Home for the loving care they have given Jane these past years.  Also a special thanks to the nurses and staff of St. Croix Hospice for keeping Jane comfortable in her final days.

The family will thankfully receive your support through greeting cards and memorials in Jane’s memory which may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Jane Gutierrez Family.

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