Barbara Jo Walske

Barbara Jo (Larrison) Walske, 67, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Hawkeye Care Center, with her loving family by her side.
Friends and family may visit from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 1870 St. Ambrose Street, Dubuque, Iowa.
Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the church with Rev. Steven Rosonke officiating. A Nurses Honor Guard will be accorded at the church. Entombment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Barb was born on July 1, 1958, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of William "Bill" and Gladys (Meitl) Purcell. She received her RN from NITI and was an operating room nurse for over 30 years. Barb was united in marriage to Tom Walske on May 5, 2012, in Dubuque, Iowa.
Barbara was gifted with a beautiful son, PJ, with whom many memories were created around dogs, boating on the Mississippi River, and countless vacations – including ski trips and beach excursions. Her ongoing love for the water continued into marriage with her husband, Tom. Some of her favorite times were throwing an anchor out, reading the paper, and playing Scrabble on the pontoon.
Barb is survived by her husband, Tom Walske; her son PJ (Stacy) Larrison; step-daughter, Heather (Steve) Davis; step-son, Curt (Madi) Walske; step-grandchildren, Ben, Alec, and Leah Davis; sister, Cheri (Randy) Mason of Dubuque; brothers, Ken (Ruth Frank) Purcell of Pensacola, FL, and Dave (Patty) Purcell of Georgetown, TX; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and grand-fur-babies.
She was preceded in death by her parents William "Bill" and Gladys Purcell.
A Barbara Jo Walske memorial fund has been established.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque, and Hawkeye Care Center.
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