Minnie E. Ward (1925-2019)

WARD, COLE, DAVIS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 6/4/2019 at 18:29:00

Minnie E. "Suki" (Davis) Ward, age 93, of Dubuque, and formerly of Mud Lake, was called home peacefully at 6:40 a.m., on Monday, June 3, 2019, at UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. To honor Minnie's life, funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, June 10, 2019, at Behr Funeral Home, with Deacon John Stierman officiating. To celebrate Minnie's life, family and friends may visit from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., on Sunday, June 9, 2019, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Minnie was born on October 9, 1925, in Colesburg, Iowa, daughter of Charles and Lillian (Cole) Davis.

Minnie was united in marriage to Donald Ward on June 13, 1943, in Dubuque, Iowa, and they were blessed with 55 wonderful years of marriage and 13 adored children, before Don was called home ahead of her on November 7, 1998. Minnie was a hard worker and was employed with The Battery Factory and Loras College, before marrying and embracing her role as a full time wife and stay at home mom. Minnie took great pride in caring for her home and family, no small task with 13 children, but she never complained and loved every minute of it. When she was able to find a little free time for herself, Minnie enjoyed heading out to the Bingo hall to give her luck a try and spend time with her friends. She was a kind, sweet and caring woman, and we will miss her greatly. We are thankful for all of the 93 years Minnie graced this Earth with her presence, and look forward to the day when we are all reunited in our Heavenly home for all Eternity.

Those left to cherish Minnie's memory include

her 6 children,
Gloria Kramer,
Phyllis (Loras) Arensdorf,
Gail (Chris) Huston,
Cletus (Venita) Ward,
Ronald (Sandy Frederick) Ward
and Raymond (Beverly) Ward, all of Dubuque, IA;

her 32 grandchildren;

several great-grandchildren;

a son-in-law,
Emil Otting, Dubuque, IA,

her 2 daughters-in-law,
Eleanor Ward
and Lucy Ward, both of Dubuque, IA;

her 2 sisters-in-law,
Mildred Davis
and Marlene Troy, both of Dubuque, IA;

and her special friend,
Tom "Bones" Clayton.

Minnie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald Ward; 2 daughters, Rosemary Ward and Ruby Otting; 5 sons, James Ward, Gary Ward, Donald Ward, Richard Ward and John Ward; a granddaughter, Stacey Lynn Ward; a grandson, Brian Otting; 3 sisters, Fannie (Howard "Coke") Wardle, Mary (Pete) Ostrander and Virginia (Walter) Donath; 4 brothers, Roy Davis, Cletus Davis, Clarence Davis and James Davis.

Minnie's family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff of Finley and Stonehill, for all of their compassionate and attentive care of Minnie and her family. Also a heartfelt thank you to Bones, for always being such a dedicated friend and neighbor to Minnie.

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