Judith Ann McKahin

Judith (Judy/Jude) Ann (Hantelmann) McKahin, 82, of Dubuque, Iowa, peacefully passed away surrounded by family at Stonehill in Dubuque, IA, on February 5, 2026.

A visitation will be held Monday, February 16, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 1199 Main St. Dubuque, IA. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Stephanie Schlimm officiating. Burial will take place at a later date in Riverside Cemetery in Moline, IL. Leonard Funeral Home and Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd. is assisting the family.

Judy was born on July 8, 1943, in Dubuque, IA. She graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1961 where she was a cheerleader and member of the student council. She continued her cheerleading at the University of Dubuque. Judy was a member of the Gamma Phi Delta sorority. She graduated in 1966 with a dual degree in Education and English. She taught 2nd and 3rd grade at Kennedy Elementary School from 1966 to 1970. When her children were older, she taught preschool for many years.

Judy married the love of her life Herbert Blaker (Blake) McKahin on July 5, 1968, at Grandview UMC in Dubuque, Iowa. They enjoyed riding in the dune buggy, Blake built. Blake and Jude traveled throughout Europe many times and enjoyed cruises with family and friends in the Caribbean. They adopted two children, first Collin and six years later Megan. As a family, they enjoyed boating on the Mississippi as well as canoeing in Blake’s hand-built wood canoe. Many summers were also enjoyed on Loon Lake in MN or fishing and camping trips with friends to WI. 

Judy was active in the community wherever she lived (Dubuque, Clarendon Hills/Hinsdale, Naperville, and Bettendorf). She was a member of Junior League in Dubuque, a long-standing member and past president of multiple P.E.O. chapters, TTT Organization, and the United Methodist Women. Judy was always willing to provide a helping hand to anyone. 

Judy is survived by her children, Collin (Tania) McKahin of Folsom, CA and Megan McKahin of Dubuque, IA; her granddaughters, Brooke (Nik) Aston of Los Lunas, NM, Alyssa (Colton) Wells of Rocklin, CA, and Kelsey McKahin of Albuquerque, NM; her great grandson Rowan Aston; her siblings Mary (Jim) Schneider of League City, TX, Mark (Kathy) Hantelmann, and Lorie (Ron) Hantelmann Vogt of Dubuque; her nieces and nephews, Emily (John) Shol, Matthew Hantelmann, Jack Foley, Seamus Foley, and Molly Foley of Dubuque; and her beloved dogs, Mimi and Gigi. 

She is preceded in death by her husband Blake; parents, Eldon Edgar Hantelmann and Betty Jane (Duffin) Hantelmann; her brother, David Hantelmann; her beloved dogs, Tessy, Tally, Lilly, Chrissy, Chloe, and Sophie. 

In lieu of flowers, please send all memorials to St. Luke’s UMC or the Lewy Body Dementia Association.

The family would like to thank Assisi Village and Stonehill for the incredible care they provided Judy over the past five years. Additionally, the family would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque, for the compassionate care they provided Judy over the last few months.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.