Mary “Jill” (Kerper) Thilmany, age 77, of Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 5:20 a.m., on Monday, April 15, 2019, at Mercy One, surrounded by her loving family. To honor Jill’s life, funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, April 22, 2019, at the Church of the Nativity, 1225 Alta Vista Street, Dubuque, Iowa, 52001, with Msgr. James L. Miller officiating, where the rosary will be recited by the Nativity Rosary Society at 10:30 a.m. To celebrate Jill’s life, family and friends may visit from 9:30 a.m., until the time of services at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, April 22, 2019, at the Church of the Nativity. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, is in charge of arrangements.

Jill was born on March 19, 1942, in Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of John and Ellen (Tschudi) Kerper.

Jill was born and raised in Dubuque, proudly attending St. Joseph’s Academy, going on to become a member of the first class to graduate from Wahlert High School. After graduation, Jill went to work with A.Y. McDonald for a few years, before meeting and marrying the love of her life. She was united in marriage to her soulmate, Tom Thilmany, on October 24, 1964, at St. Patrick’s Church, and they were blessed with 54 years together and 3 children. After the children were born, Jill happily became a full time wife and mother, staying home until the children were grown, then reentering the workforce with Siebe Studio for several years, until health issues caused her to slow down and take it easy. Jill was always a very active woman who enjoyed spending time outside, whether it be tending to her beautiful flower gardens, chasing after that elusive hole-in-one at Thunder Hills Golf Club, or hitting the bowling lanes hoping for a perfect game. She loved all Dubuque history, and was the proud keeper of her family genealogy, spending countless hours at the court house and library, tracing her roots as far back as 300 years ago. Family, beyond a doubt, brought the most joy into Jill’s days, she loved spending time with Tom and the children, and was thrilled when the grandchildren started coming along. We are deeply saddened at the loss of our beautiful, kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister, she was truly priceless in our eyes, and the memories we have will be cherished in our hearts forever.

Those left to cherish Jill’s memory include

her loving husband,
Tom Thilmany, Dubuque, IA;

her children,
Jeff (Jeannie) Thilmany, Streamwood, IL,
Lynn Thilmany, Inver Grove Heights, MN
and Julie (Dave) Theis, Dubuque, IA;

her grandchildren,
Christopher, Katey, James and Lydia;

and her sister,
Judy (Maury) Niemer, Dubuque, IA.

Jill was preceded in death by her parents; her grandmother, Estelle McCurdey; and her brother, John (Gloria) Kerper.

Jill’s family would like to thank Dr. Wayne E. Richenbacher, for not only his surgical skills with Jill’s heart surgery, but for his continued support throughout the years, faithfully calling to check on her and see how she was doing. We also want to thank the wonderful staff of 4th floor surgical at Mercy Hospital, we could not have asked for a more caring and supportive group to help us through these past few days.

Memorials will be accepted by the family to be distributed among her favorite charities.

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