Virginia M. (Klecker) Willis 1936-2009

WILLIS, KLECKER, GENTHE, BESST, GROSS, THIBADEAU, JUERGENS

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 3/21/2018 at 18:53:22

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Monday, April 13, 2009

Virginia M. Willis, 73, of 12611 Cousins Road, formerly of 2243 Prince St., passed away at 12:45 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2009, at home.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 16, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main St., where friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 15. Burial will be in Dubuque Memorial Gardens, south of Dubuque.

She was born on Feb. 19, 1936, in Dubuque, daughter of Ralph and Maybelle (Besst) Klecker. She graduated from St. Columbkille's School.

She married Joseph Willis on Feb. 21, 1953, at St. Columbkille's Catholic Church; he preceded her in death.

Virginia worked as an associate at JC Penney and as a certified nursing assistant at Luther Manor for 15 years, retiring in 1990. She also was a crossing guard at Audubon School.

Virginia found the good in every single person she met. She loved all children. She loved watching the Game Show Network and the Chicago Cubs.

Surviving are two daughters, Angela (Donald) Genthe, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gina (Dale) Gross, of Peosta, Iowa; four sons, Larry Willis and Michael (Marla) Willis, both of Dubuque, Dewayne (Paula) Willis and Ronald (Jennifer) Willis, both of Cedar Rapids; 19 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Steven, Tami, Timmy and Holly; half-brothers, John and Mike; a half-sister, Dawn; brothers-in-law, Robert (Ruth) Willis, of Dubuque, and Floyd Thibadeau, of Delhi, Iowa; and a sister-in-law, Sandy Juergens, of Dubuque.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Louise Thibadeau; and a brother, Ralph "Sonny" Klecker Jr.

A Virginia M. Willis Memorial Fund has been established.

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

Virginia's family would like to thank Heather, Mary, Lisa, Dr. Salas and his nurse, Kathy, for all of the care and concern they have shown for Virginia.