Gertrude K. "Gert" Houselog

Gertrude "Gert" K. Houselog, 95, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away peacefully with her children by her side at home on Friday, December 5, 2025.

Friends and family may visit from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at St. Raphael's Cathedral.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral, with Very Rev. Dennis Quint officiating. Entombment will follow at Mount Calvary. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, is assisting the family.

Gert was born on February 26, 1930, in Willow Springs, Wisconsin, the daughter of John and Mary (Steffens) Trace. She graduated from Dodgeville High School and later moved to Dubuque, where she worked at the Baby Fold before spending the next 34 years at the Dubuque Packing House. It was there that she met the love of her life, Robert "Bob" Houselog. They were married on July 11, 1953, at St. Raphael's Cathedral and were blessed with two children, Janet and Ken, who cared for her lovingly until the end, honoring her wish to remain at home. After retirement, Gert worked for Dubuque Community Schools for ten years.

Gert enjoyed traveling, including two-week stays every summer at Eagle Lake Resort in Minnesota and annual trips with her mother and sisters. She cherished her time with friends bowling, golfing, and playing cards. Her yard reflected her passion for gardening, and when she wasn't tending to her flowers, she could often be found baking, canning, curled up with a good book, or challenging herself with a puzzle. Gert's greatest joy was attending her granddaughter's activities and spending time with her great-grandchildren.

Gert is survived by her two children, Ken (Amy) and Janet; granddaughters, Shannon (Jake) Veach of Cascade, Stacey (Jon Kluck) Hines of Dubuque, Ashley (Mark) Thul of Norman, OK, and Courtney Houselog of Cedar Rapids; nine great-grandchildren, Colby, Corey, and Cooper Veach, Matthew, Ethan, and Alexandra Kluck, and Hayden, Jason, and Mia Thul; two siblings, Aletha Duerst and Joanne (John) Brunner; and three sisters-in-law, Aggie Trace, Theresa Houselog, and Carol Potterton; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband; son-in-law, Jeff Hines; brothers, Leo, Bob (Sharon), Ed (Catherine), Gene, Bill, and Richard Trace; her sisters, Gen (Jr.) Evans, Rita (Dallas) Millard, Virginia Trace, and Elaine (Jerry) Rundle; and sisters- and brothers-in-law, Butch and Lois, Joe and Helen, Art "Tee" and Betty, Ronnie and Edna, Gerald and Joan, Wayne, Merl and Jane Houselog, Mary and Art Balk, Bernice and John Donahue, Jean Smith, and Jim Duerst.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of Hospice of Dubuque for their compassionate care and support, especially Buffy, Peggy, Angela, Janet, and Sue.