Marie C. Herrig

Marie C. (Kalmes) Herrig, 91, passed away on Tuesday, January 1, 2019 after a 3 ½  year battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 7th, 2019 at St. Donatus Catholic Church with Rev. Rodney Allers officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 6th, 2019 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road where a wake service will be at 3:45 p.m.

Marie was born on January 29, 1927 in Potosi, WI, daughter of Charles and Martha (Schmitz) Abing. She married Harold Kalmes on November 4,1947. He preceded her in death on December 14,1968. She married Julian “Jukes” Herrig on October 17, 1981. He preceded her in death on April 23, 1996.

Marie worked at both National Tea grocery stores in Dubuque where she was in charge of the fruit and vegetable display as well as the customer checkout. She met her husband Harold Kalmes while working at National Tea. They married and lived in St. Donatus while raising 8 children. Harold and Marie managed the Kalmes Store from 1948 to 1953. After Harold was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1968, Marie continued to live in St. Donatus and successfully raised their children on her own.

After living in St. Donatus for more than 50 years, Marie moved to Dubuque in 2002. Marie volunteered her time sewing quilts for St. Luke’s Church. Marie loved to sew, crochet and quilt. She made many items over the years and provided each grandchild and great grandchild with a hand-made baby blanket. Marie enjoyed games especially Scrabble and Canasta. In recent years she kept busy embroidering special items for friends and family. Marie is best known for her humor and the ability to make every person she encountered feel special. She was remarkably strong despite the tough challenges she faced in her life. She always made others laugh, even in her last days.

Those who will honor Marie's memory include her children, Gary Kalmes, of Richmond, VA, Darrell (Diane) Kalmes, of Dubuque, Mary Jean (Steve) Sieverding, of St. Donatus, Doug (special friend Crystal) Kalmes, of Carbon Cliff, IL, Greg (Jeanie) Kalmes, of St. Donatus, Steve (Dee) Kalmes, of Springville, IA, Beth (Jeff) Kaiser, of Dubuque and Denise Kalmes, of Dubuque; 11 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren; her sister’s Irene Seng, of Potosi, Luella Brandt, of Kieler, Bettty (Jim) Jungk, of Dubuque, Doris (Bernard) Hentrich, of Hazel Green and Margaret (Joe) Hentrich, of Belmont; a brother Irvin (Katie) Abing, of Potosi, brother-in-law Lawrence (Windy) Kalmes, of St. Donatus, sister’s-in-law Paulette Abing, of Potosi, Bernadette (Don) Williams, of Lancaster and Mariella Berthel, of Dubuque.

She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Martha Abing; her husband Harold Kalmes; her husband Jukes Herrig; daughter-in-law Rita Kalmes; grandson Scott Sieverding; great-grandson Brecken Woolsey; four brothers, Gerald Abing, Cyril Abing, Leo Abing and Richard Abing, and her sister Berniece Kieler.

The family would like to extend very special thanks and appreciation to Hospice of Dubuque, especially Jenni, Amy and Julie who took very special care of Marie the last few months. They brightened each and every day and Marie was so thankful for their time and compassion. Words cannot describe how special you are to all of us.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice of Dubuque, 1670 John F. Kennedy Road.

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