Joseph “Joe” Leander Stelken, 91, of Dubuque, passed away Monday, February 8, at Bethany Home.
Friends may greet the family from 9 a.m. until the 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, February 13, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, and will be live-streamed on the St. Anthony Catholic Church website: www.stanthony-dubuque.org. Rev. Steven Rosonke will officiate. Masks and social distancing are required at church. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Dubuque Marine Corps League. Arrangements are entrusted to Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 JFK Rd., Dubuque. Condolences and memories may be shared at egelhofsiegertcasper.com. A public
Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, July 24, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Eagle Point Park main pavilion.
Joe was born March 22, 1929 in Worthington, IA, the son of Bernard and Katherine Zita (Fruth) Stelken. He married Lois O’Hea on October 6, 1962 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church. She preceded him in death on January 30, 2003.
Joe began his education in a one room schoolhouse, and went on to be the first in his family to graduate from high school. He then graduated from Bayless Business College. Joe served his country with the U.S. Airforce , and was stationed at Hamilton Field in California from 1948 to 1952, and in Korea from 1951 to 1952, until his honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant.
He was employed at the Dubuque Packing Company for many years. Joe was an avid bowler throughout his life, and bowled one of his best games at age 80. He was a long-suffering Cubs and Bears fan. Joe volunteered for Bingo at St. Anthony’s, and as a pallbearer for St. Vincent de Paul Society. He delivered Meals on Wheels for over 20 years.
Joe was honored to take one of the last Honor Flights out of Dubuque along with his brother in law, and escorted (not babysat!) by his son.
Joe is survived by two children, Mark J. (Michelle) Stelken of Dubuque, and Mary Beth (Roger) Scott of Clive, IA; six grandchildren, Alex Stelken of Louisville, KY, Jonathon (fiancé Brooke) Stelken, and Jacob Stelken both of Dubuque, and Trey Scott of St. Louis, MO, Leander Scott of Dillon, CO, and Turner Scott of Kirksville, MO; his sister, Laura Mae “Toots” Carton of Earlville, IA; his in-laws, Delores Stelken of Manchester, IA, Vince Schrunk of Dubuque, Lou Ann O’Hea and Mary McGrath, both of Dubuque, Donald (Colleen) O’Hea of Rockford, and Ann and Mary O’Hea, both of Dubuque; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Aurelia (Gerald) Grawe, Bernard (Grace), Arthur, Elmer (Betty), and Jerome (Jane) Stelken, and Irene Schrunk; and his in-laws, Omer “Flea” Carton, and Delmer, Jeanette, and Gerald O’Hea.
Joe’s family would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque, especially Chris, Bethany Home Memory Care, and Dr. Chris Stille.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Dubuque.