Jocelyn K. Rios

Jocelyn K. Rios, age 56, of Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 3:27 a.m., on Friday, December 29, 2017, at Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque, surrounded by her loving family. To honor and celebrate Jocelyn's life, family and friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, on Saturday, January 6, 2018, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa. Jocelyn was born on August 31, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii, a daughter of Jerald and Sybil (Fragas) Ulmer. Jocelyn was blessed to have spent the majority of her earthly journey on the beautiful island of Oahu. She was eventually united in marriage to her true love, Joseph Rios, on July 12, 2002, and they began their 15 year commitment with a joyful determination which absolutely made her heart sing. Jocelyn's spirit and attitude would always remain a perfect reflection of her love for the islands, but as she and Joseph ventured stateside, she would also graciously share her kindness, and love for life, with all whom crossed her path. Jocelyn was truly a generous soul who strived daily to be a positive influence on the world around her. In her free-time, Jocelyn regularly enjoyed sitting down to watch a good comedy, or quite often listening to some of her favorite traditional Hawaiian music hoping to discover the mood to break out into a little light-hearted dance; but what really brought Jocelyn joy was the time she was able to spend with her family and friends. Jocelyn understood the value of personal relationships and if you were adored and appreciated by her, you were sure to know and feel her presence in your life. Jocelyn also enjoyed traveling whenever possible, as much as she savored any opportunity to spend the day on the warm sand watching the waves roll in. We are beyond broken-hearted today with the sudden loss of our dear Jocelyn, her wonderful sense of humor, and her forever loving spirit; but we trust that the Lord has a plan in all things and we know that she is finally free of her health issues, and thankfully resting peacefully in her new perfect body while simultaneously enjoying a most glorious reunion with her parents who were also called home much too early in life. Thank you Jocelyn for all of the joy, love and lessons you shared with the world along your journey, and know that we will surely miss you everyday until we are all reunited once again in time. Those left to cherish Jocelyn's memory include her husband, Joseph Rios, Dubuque, IA; her siblings, Jerald (Joseph) Ulmer, Honolulu, Hawaii and Jodi (Todd) Benevides, Flower Mound, Texas; and her nieces, Christina Benevides and Codie Benevides, both of Texas. Jocelyn was preceded in death by her parents. A Jocelyn K. Rios memorial fund has been established, which will be distributed among her favorite charities. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Mercy Hospital for all of their professional, sincere and compassionate care of Jocelyn, and her family.