Mary Jo (Merfeld) Dalen

Mary Jo (Merfeld) Dalen, 57, danced her way up the top of the mountain with her family and friends ending her journey on July 2, 2019.

Mary Jo began her adventure at Xavier Hospital in 1961 when she was born to Orland and Mavis (Chadwick) Merfeld. She moved from Bernard to East Dubuque and attended all East Dubuque schools, graduating from high school January 13, 1979. She obtained her dental assistant degree from NITI and started working at West Third Oral Surgery. The practice grew and moved on to become Great River Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. For 38 years, Mary Jo was a part of this team. 

Mary Jo, more affectionately referred to as MJ, Jo, Mama Jo Dalen, or Diva, could often be found on the dance floor shaking it to Brown Eyed Girl or whatever song happened to be playing. If she wasn't on the dance floor, you might find her at the casino, soaking up the sun, or taking a nap on the couch. She taught 9 years of CCD classes at the Nativity BVM in Menominiee. Every year for the last 20 or so years, Mary Jo helped with Lulu’s Thanksgiving dinners at Seldom Scene.

She will be sorely missed and survived by her daughters Melissa (Dr. Robert) Morley and Kaila Dalen; her favorite grandson, Everett Morley; her mother, Mazie Merfeld; siblings David (Joyce) Merfeld, Marcie (Steve) High, Orland Merfeld Jr, Donnie (Joni) Merfeld, many nieces, nephews, aunts, and in-laws. 

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Mark; father, Orland Sr.; brother-in-law, Lyle; grandparents and many aunts and uncles.

The family would like to give a special thank you to St. Croix Hospice as well as all family and friends for their support given during the past months. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Croix Hospice or Menominee-Dunlieth Fire Department.

Mary Jo hoped to leave this world with a smoking hot body, so before going to see the great creator, she will be going to see the great cremater. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road in Dubuque with a short service to follow at 6:00 p.m. Burial will be at a later date in East Dubuque Cemetery, East Dubuque, IL.

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