Judith A. “Judy” Fortmann , age 75, of Dubuque, passed away at 6:30 a.m., on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at home surrounded by her family.  To honor Judy’s life, family and friends may visit from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, where there will be a parish scripture service held at 3:45 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Holy Spirit Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 2215 Windsor Avenue, with Rev. Jeffrey I. Frieden officiating.  Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Judy was born on May 27, 1948, in Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of Francis and Viola (Weber) Hess.

Judy graduated from Leo High School in Holy Cross.  Not long after that Judy married the love of her life, Robert Fortmann, on September 9, 1967, at Holy Ghost Church in Dubuque.  They raised their family and celebrated 46 wedding anniversaries together before Robert passed away on August 11, 2014.  Judy was always a hard worker.  She was employed as the Head of Housekeeping for the Days Inn and Holiday Inn for 30 years and finally retired from Wartburg Seminary after 21 years of service in 2021.  In her free time, Judy loved going to garage sales.  She was always on the hunt for a great bargain or a new treasure to add to her collection.  Judy was an extremely organized person who took pride in keeping her home tidy and was meticulous about how the laundry was folded.  She also liked going to Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.  Her family was always at the top of her priority list, followed by her beloved pets.  Judy enjoyed spending time with everyone, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She has attended countless sporting events throughout the years.  Judy was a wonderful woman and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Those left to cherish Judy’s memory include

her children,
Darla (Scott Carey) Fortmann, Dubuque, IA
and Don (Tricia) Fortmann, Nevada, IA;

6 grandchildren,
Taylor Miller, Trenton (Jessica Vaassen) Miller, Matthew (fiancé Lea Valaitis) Fortmann, Amanda (fiancé Jakob Pitman) Fortmann, Mitchell (Carmen) Phillips and Alyssa (Kyle) Henry;

4 great-grandchildren,
Addison, Evelyn, Halle and Tanner;

and a sister,
Rita Brown, Madison, WI.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Fortmann; a brother, James Hess in infancy; and 2 brothers-in-law, John Brown and Thomas Baxter.

Judy’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Hospice of Dubuque for the outstanding care they have provided for Judy and the entire family.

Greeting cards and memorials in Judy’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Judy Fortmann Family.

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