Christine Mittvalsky

Christine Mittvalsky, 66, of Dubuque passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at home with her family at her side. In accordance with Christine's wishes, there will be no visitation or service, and she will be cremated with Behr Funeral Home taking care of the arrangements. She was born Christl Ortner on June 7, 1946, in Bad Toelz, Germany in the Bavarian Alps. After graduating from trade school, she managed a neighborhood grocery store where she met Ed Mittvalsky, her future husband, who was serving in the U.S. Army. Christine emigrated to the U.S. in 1967 and married Ed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in August of that year. She began the task of learning the English language while working as an aid in the Psychiatric Ward of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. When the family moved to Dubuque, she drove a mini bus for Project Concern and later worked as an aid at Hempstead and Helen Keller schools. She proudly became a citizen of the United States in April of 1982. Christine's love of gardening led her to become a Master Gardener through the Iowa State University Extension, and she volunteered her expertise at the Dubuque Arboretum while tending a productive and beautiful garden at home. Among her greatest passions was studying antiques and rare books, and searching for them at yard sales and auctions throughout the country to stock her sales booth at the Plaza Antique Mall in Dyersville, Iowa. Christine loved the natural beauty of the Midwest, fishing for trout in northeast Iowa streams, camping, and capturing landscapes and flowers through watercolor paintings. She was devoted to passing on her love of nature to her grandchildren, and spending time with them hiking and exploring throughout Dubuqueland. She is survived by her husband, Ed; her son, Marcus; grandchildren, Maddie and Max; and a brother in Germany. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother and sister, all of Germany. The family would like to express thanks to Dr. Christine Holm and the staff at Medical Associates Oncology, the nursing staff on third floor Mercy Hospital, and the nurses and staff of Hospice of Dubuque.