Marie G. (Kerkenbush) Fens – Capesius, 87, of Stonehill Health Center in Dubuque, Iowa, formerly of 2700 Monastery Dr., Key West, Iowa, passed away peacefully on April 30th, 2025, with her family at her side.

In celebration of Marie’s life, family and friends may gather from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 5th, 2025, at St. Joseph Key West Church, 10270 Key West Dr., Key West, Iowa.  A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. with Msgr. Thomas Toale officiating.  Burial will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Kieler, WI. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, Dubuque, Iowa, is assisting the family.

Marie was born on October 21, 1937, in Dubuque, daughter of William & Adeline (Meoska) Kerkenbush.  Marie attended grade school at Immaculate Conception in Kieler, WI.  When Marie’s parents became elderly, she spent her high school years caring for them and later got her GED.  She was united in marriage to Richard “Red” Fens from 1962-1974.  In 1982, she married Paul Capesius & they were together until his death in 1987.

Marie had three children, one daughter and two sons, throughout her years here on earth.  Marie was a hard-working woman, who devoted her life to being a good mother and provider.  Her #1 priority was making sure her children were brought up with good values and beliefs.

Marie enjoyed working as an Avon Representative for several years while raising her children.  When her grandchildren were born, she cared for them as well from birth to school age, and cherished time spent with them.  She covered many horizons throughout her working years.  From 1988-1991, she worked as a Certified Nurse’s Aide at Mt. Carmel for the Sisters of Charity BVM.  She was awarded a “Certificate of Appreciation” for her many hours of service.  She also pursued the field of “Medical/Dental Office Assistant” and received a diploma through the Barton Home Study Program.  After leaving Mt. Carmel, she went to work as a Domestic Engineer at The University of Dubuque for four years.  In 1974 she began working at St. Regis Paper Company as a Corrugator Operator until retiring  in 1984.  In her later years, she worked at the Dubuque YMCA in daycare, once again caring and tending to the needs of children.  While working there, Marie served as a Volunteer Grandmother through the Foster Grandparent Program.  Finally in 2018, at the YOUNG AGE OF 81, she decided to “hang it up for good” to spend more time with loved ones.

She had countless friends and enjoyed getting together every month for dinner with her “Red Hat” Club.

Back in the day, you would find Marie “dancing up a storm” at Melody Mill, The Dubuque County Fairgrounds, and The Circle in East Dubuque.  She also enjoyed a good card game and loved to socialize at family reunions.  If there was a family reunion, everyone knew “You’d darned well better be there!!!”, since anyone who knew Marie knew that shyness was not one of her characteristics.  She took crap from no one and she’d tell you so! If she had something on her mind, she’d let you know it, but always with good intentions.

Even at Stonehill Health Center, she was proud to be a bingo winner time and time again and truly enjoyed a game of euchre with her friends there, as well. She will be sadly missed by all who were fortunate enough to be a part of her life.

Marie was a devout Catholic and always had a prayer book in her hands.  Even during the pandemic, she attended daily Mass in her living room and would not answer the door or take a phone call until the Priest had given the final blessing!  Religion was of utmost importance to her.

She was twice a “cancer survivor”, and attributed that to keeping her faith, remaining strong, and never stopped going!

Surviving are her two sons, Ricky (Ann) Fens & Dan (Jodi) Fens, all of Dubuque, a sister-in-law, “Frankie” Kerkenbush of Monroe, Michigan, nine grandchildren, Loegin, Ethan, Karrigan, Hunter, Mitchell, Mike, Aaron, Kirby, & Laura, six great-grandchildren, with two more on the way, & many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly!

She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Virginia “Ginny”, Elizabeth “Bets”, and Eileen; three brothers, Alfred, Gerald “Jerry” & Roger; her daughter, Judy Mueller; husbands, Richard “Red” Fens & Paul Capesius; her close friend, Dorene McCarthy, who was like a sister to her, and another good friend, Marlene Schuster, with whom she grew up as a neighbor.

In lieu of flowers, a Marie G. Fens-Capesius Memorial Fund will be established.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the healthcare workers at Stonehill for their care and compassion to Marie, Hospice of Dubuque, and to all of her family and friends close to her heart for their unending love and support over the years.