Mary Cavanaugh Jecklin 1932-2014

CAVANAUGH, JECKLIN, DUSCHEN, STROM, RUDEN, HEACOCK, MUELLER, SCHMIDT, GRAVES, HERMSEN, THEISEN

Posted By: j.n. (email)
Date: 11/9/2014 at 21:36:07

Mary C. Jecklin, 82 of Peosta, Iowa passed away on November 2, 2014, at Stonehill Care Center surrounded by her family.

Funeral mass will be at 10:30a.m. Thursday, November 6, 2014 at Holy Family Church New Melleray with Rev. Scott Boone and Rev. Xavier Dieter, OSCO officiating. Burial will follow in Dubuque Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road where a parish wake service will be at 3:00 p.m.

Mary was born on April 27, 1932 in Dubuque, Iowa the daughter of John and Marcella (Duschen) Cavanaugh. She married Donald Jecklin Sr. on August 11, 1951 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He preceded her in death on April 19, 1984.

Mary was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was always putting everyone else's needs before her own. She worked beside her husband Don on the farm and raised seven children in the work ethic of dairy farming that brings a sense of family that only a farm mother would understand. She taught her six daughters how to sew, bake and can food.

She was a member and lector at Holy Family Church where she volunteered numerous hours in the Altar and Rosary Society, and also participated in the Thursday morning prayer group at Monastery. In her spare time she served as treasurer for the Dubuque County Fair Women’s Food Stand, member of Dubuque Dairy Promotions, Dubuque County Farm Bureau, Morning Hope Theresians, Catholic Daughters of American, Secretary of Tri-State Saddle Club and a 4H Leader for three decades.

She bowled in several leagues and her bowling exploits are legendary even after back surgery.

Some of her passions include gardening and flowers especially in her own yard. Perhaps what she will be loved and remembered for the most are her prize winning angel food cake and her own apple pie that no one can quite duplicate.

She is survived by seven children, Vivian (Stephen) Strom, of Allison Park, PA, Rita (Dave) Ruden, of Dubuque, Don (Julie VanZile) Jecklin Jr., of Peosta, Sally (Dean) Heacock, of Durango, Rose (Bob) Mueller, of Epworth, Lois (Dennis) Schmidt, of Dubuque, and Jane Jecklin, of Peosta, Iowa. Sixteen grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren. Siblings; Loretta (Joe) Graves, Juanita (Lyle) Dague, Sharon (Charles) Hermsen, a brother-in-law John Theisen and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three brothers Tommy Cavanaugh, Loras (Lu Mae) Cavanaugh, John (Rita) Cavanaugh Jr., a sister Janaan Theisen, and a sister-in-law Thelma (Wilfred) Miehe.

In lieu of flowers a Mary C. Jecklin memorial fund has been established.

The family wishes to thank all the health care professionals, Stonehill Care Center, and Hospice of Dubuque for all the wonderful care they gave to Mary. Also to Most Rev. Daniel Kucera, OSB for all his friendship.