Stella May Bertha Tigges, 90, was called to her Heavenly home on October 31, 2024.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road with a family wake service to be held at 2:30 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 8th, 2024, at the Church of the Resurrection with Fr. Phillip Gibbs officiating. Her burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. A livestream of the funeral mass can be found on the funeral home Facebook page at mass start time.

Stella was born on April 1, 1934, on the Kamm family farm in North Buena Vista, IA, Stella was the ninth of eleven children to George and Hattie Kamm. On June 18, 1955, she married Roger H. Tigges at St. Patrick’s Church, beginning a beautiful life together in Dubuque, IA, where they raised ten beloved children. Stella was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, whose life was defined by her deep love for family and faith and her selfless care for others.

A nurturing soul, Stella worked as a nurse’s aide at Hillcrest Baby Fold, a seamstress at Glovers, a clerk at Neisner’s, a waitress at Triangle Café, and later cleaned for Universal Electric. She shared her faith as a 2nd Grade CCD teacher at Holy Ghost, passing her values and kindness to younger generations.

Stella found joy in gardening, flowers, bowling, bingo, scrapbooking, and loved playing Euchre and Five Crowns with family and friends. She enjoyed working on puzzles and crocheting detailed doilies. She was a diehard Cubs fan and took great pride in her extensive collection of Christmas Snow Village pieces, which created a spectacular display in her home. Together with Roger, she treasured their travels across the country, including Alaska, Texas, Hawaii, Virginia, Florida, Las Vegas, New York, and Niagara Falls. Stella leaves a legacy of love, compassion, and faith. Her gentle spirit will be deeply missed by family and friends.

Stella is survived by her nine children: three daughters, Nancy (Dale) Manders of Bernard, IA, Theresa Biermann of Dubuque, IA, and Wendy (Neil) Aitchison of Dubuque, IA; and six sons, David (Rose) of Orland Park, IL, Terence (Elizabeth) of Davenport, IA, Timothy (Poon) of Johnston, IA, Gregory (Diane) of Schenectady, NY, Kevin (Judy) of Dubuque, IA, and Wayne (Hiroko) of Brooklyn, NY. She is also survived by her 21 grandchildren: Stephanie (Andy) Huber, Matthew Edwards, Christina (Nathan) Utt, Joshua Tigges, Nicholas Tigges, Sarah Goodwin, Terence Tigges Jr., Harmony Lopez, Ryan (Adriana) Tigges, Troy (Kylee) Tigges, Melissa (Corey) Schulz, Ashley (John) Garde, Corinne (Nick) Huber, Daniel Perry, Benjamin (Laine) Tigges, Megan Tigges, Nichole (Cleveland) Cone, Mark (Kathryn) Aitchison, Elizabeth (Mathias) Whitworth, Emily Tigges, Rebecca Tigges; her three step-grandchildren: Christopher (Shelley) Johnson Sr., Shawna (Tim) Colvin, Michael (Angela) Aitchison; her 18 great-grandchildren: Henry Utt, Emma Utt, Harper Utt, Bella Edwards, Kayden Tigges, Katherina Tigges, Jacob Tigges, Beatrice Wilson, Bryson Tigges, Kai Tigges, Maxim Huber, Jaxen Ching, Mila Labarr, Sean Tigges, Ivy Tigges, Elijah Cone, Athena Cone, Mariana Whitworth; her nine step-great-grandchildren: Caleb Goodwin, Seth (Taylor) Goodwin, Chris (Diamond) Johnson Jr., Ian Johnson, Jack Colvin, Riley Colvin, Adrian Colvin, Caleb Gingrich, and Jace Aitchison; and her three step-great-great-grandchildren: Ezekiel Rodriguez, Ariyla Rodriguez, and Everleigh Goodwin.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger H. Tigges; her daughter, Jeannine Perry; grandson-in-law, Brian Goodwin; great-grandsons, Adam Allender, and Roger Wilson; her parents, George and Hattie (Wolter) Kamm; sisters, Eldora Hines, Anna Hefel, Joyce Kelly, and infant Hattie Kamm; and brothers, Sylvester, Victor, Delbert, Robert, Harold, and infant George.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Andrea Ries, Hospice of Dubuque, Luther Manor Grand Meadows, and all friends and family for their support and prayers during this time of loss. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.