Lizabeth R. “Liz” Picker, age 77, of East Dubuque, went to be with Jesus in Heaven on Thursday, April 9, 2026.  To celebrate Liz’s life, family and friends may visit from 2:00 p.m. until 4:45 p.m., on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Word of Life Church, 4450 Dodge Street.  Funeral services will be held at 5:00 p.m., on Sunday, at Word of Life Church, with Pastor Loren Hirschy officiating.  Burial will be in St. Boniface Cemetery.  Behr Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Liz was born on April 13, 1948, to Dorothy (Boge) and Lester Henry Wagner at Finley Hospital in Dubuque.

Raised in Dubuque, Liz graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1966.  She went on to Patricia Stevens Modeling School in Milwaukee where she got a degree in Marketing and Retail.  At 20, she was the youngest buyer at the Boston Store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Liz met her husband, Allen Picker, in October 1971, and they were married at St. Anthony’s Church in Dubuque on November 27, 1971, before moving to Long Beach California.  Shane, their son, was born there on December 1, 1973.  Three years later they moved back to Dubuque and opened “Comic World and Things” in June of 1976.  In 1979, Liz’s radio and marketing career started as she was the first female to sell radio in Dubuque at that time at the “Love Rock” D-93 from 1979 to 1984.  She then went on to work for several radio stations, cable, direct mail and printing firms, plus had a “Skateboard” shop and “Skateboard Park” in the 80’s.  Liz also owned a bridal shop and ran her own Promotion and Marketing company.  She also drove school bus for Dubuque Community School District for several years.  Liz was currently working for Radio Dubuque.

Liz had a special bond with animals, her husband called her “The Pied Piper”, and in her years she helped many lost and homeless animals, always having several dogs and cats living with her.  Her greatest pleasure was spending time with her grandsons, Zachary and Zane, going antiquing with Shane and Al, fishing in Canada and traveling.  She visited every state except Alaska.  Liz worked in her organic garden every minute she could.  She enjoyed the great outdoors!

Liz is survived by

her husband of 54 years,
Allen Picker;

her son,
Shane (Jessica) Picker;

her grandsons,
Zachary and Zane Picker;

her sister,
Elizabeth (Ron) Caliri;

her brothers,
Leslie (Dianne) Wagner
and Robert (Lauranne) Wagner;

her nieces, nephews;
Colleen Norris, Mary Norris, David Norris, Greg Norris, Alana (Mike) Gogel and John (Kathleen) Wagner;

and great-nieces and great-nephews,
Benjamin, Elie, Kaylee and Addison.

Liz was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Barbara (Boge) Wagner and her father, Lester Henry Wagner.

Special thanks to the entire family, Shane, Jessie, Zachary and Zane, for always being there anytime Liz needed anything.  Al would also like to thank Pastor Loren and Joy Hirschy, Pastor Mike and Amanda Lopez for their kindness and support.  And last, but not least, Perry Mason for his friendship, understanding and support throughout Liz’s health battle.

Cards and memorials in Liz’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Liz Picker Family, and will be donated to her favorite charity, ASPCA.  Liz said “they always are there for the strays in the country”.

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