Joan M. Klein

Joan M. (Gibbons) Klein, age 86, of Dubuque, passed away peacefully at 3:30 a.m., on Friday, October 28, 2022, at MercyOne Dubuque.  To honor Joan’s life, family and friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday at Behr Funeral Home with Sr. Margaret Anne Kramer officiating.

Joan was born on September 2, 1936, in Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of Joseph T. and Lucille F. (Krocheski) Gibbons.

Joan went to Holy Ghost Grade School and graduated from Immaculate Conception Academy, Class of 1954.  She was united in marriage to the love of her life, Louis Klein, on September 29, 1956.  When she was young she began working at Kresge’s and later went to work at Dupaco Community Credit Union.  In 1968, the family moved to Forest, Wisconsin, to be closer to extended family members.  While there she ran the WESTCAP retail store.  In 1983, they would move out to Colorado where Joan went to work for the Cherry Creek School System running the daycare.  She loved children and babies making this job the perfect fit for her.  She enjoyed living in Colorado and even became a die hard Denver Broncos fan.  After 20 years in Colorado, Louis became ill and they returned to Dubuque where she continued caring for children through the Foster Grandparent Program.  Joan was a social butterfly and loved getting together for pot luck dinners, playing Euchre and Bingo with family and friends and attending Bible study.  Her faith was very important to her, and Joan was a devoted member of St. Anthony’s Church.  Family was always the most important aspect of Joan’s life and she cherished all of the time she spent with them.  She especially enjoyed traveling to Virginia and Florida to visit.  Joan was a wonderful woman and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Those left to cherish Joan’s memory include

her children,
Ron (Judy) Klein, Kansas
Roger (Martha) Klein, Dubuque, IA
and Randy Klein, Texas;

2 grandchildren,
Rachel (Aaron) Dalton
and David Klein, both of Virginia;

her siblings,
Theresa (Jerry) Kotnour, Madison, WI,
Joe (Peggy) Gibbons, Aitkin, MN
and Tom (Norma) Gibbons, Franklin, TN;

a sister-in-law,
Wanda Gibbons, Dubuque, IA;

and many loving nieces and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Louis Klein; a sister, Margie (Donald) Dugan; 4 brothers, Don (Claire) Gibbons, Bob Gibbons, Jim (Carol) Gibbons and Jerry Gibbons in infancy; and a brother-in-law, Wilfred (Marcella) Schachtner.

Joan’s family would like to thank everyone in the MercyOne Emergency Department and Cardiovascular Unit as well as the nurses and staff of Luther Manor and Ennoble Nursing and Rehabilitation for all of their care.  Also a very special thanks to all of the residents of Applewood Apartments for their friendships with Joan and for always watching out for her.

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

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

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