Mary Ann Erschen

Mary Ann Erschen, age 83, of Dubuque, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025, at home surrounded by her family. To celebrate Mary Ann's life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Holy Spirit Parish, Holy Ghost Church, 2921 Central Avenue, with Rev. Raymond A. Burkle officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Mary Ann was born on August 15, 1942, in Cascade, Iowa, the daughter of James and Mary (Heinz) Grant.
Mary Ann graduated from St. Martin's High School in Cascade, Class of 1963. She married Don Erschen in 1969 at St. Columbkille's Church. She began working in the kitchen at Mercy Hospital and later transferred to the billing office. She worked there for 49 years until her retirement. After her retirement, she went to work at Sam's Club handing out food samples. Mary Ann loved talking to people and the job was a perfect fit for her. Her faith was very important to her, and Mary Ann and Don were long time members of Holy Ghost Church. In her free time, she enjoyed playing cards, especially Euchre, with family and friends. She also enjoyed going out to eat and socializing. Mary Ann truly loved people, especially little ones. Her family meant the world to her, and she was extremely proud of her kids and grandkids. Mary Ann made it a priority to make special memories with the grandkids. Some of their favorite activities included trips to the 4th Street Elevator, the Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium and trips down by the shores of the Mississippi. She was a wonderful woman, and was always very kind, generous and giving. Mary Ann will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.
Those left to cherish Mary Ann's memory include
her husband,
Don Erschen, Dubuque, IA;
her children,
Chris Erschen, Dubuque, IA
and Staci (Lincoln) Schmeiser, Elkhart, IA;
4 grandchildren,
Andrew Erschen, Elizabeth (Kyle) Muehlenthaler, Emily Schmeiser and Martin Schmieser;
a great-granddaughter,
Elaine Muehlenthaler;
her siblings,
Agnes Peiffer, Milwaukee, WI,
Terese Morrison, Dubuque, IA
and Charlene (Mike) Kearney, Marion, IA.
and a sister-in-law,
Dennise Grant, Cascade, IA.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Emmett Grant; and 2 brothers-in-law, Donnie Peiffer and Lee Morrison.
Mary Ann's family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Hospice of Dubuque and MercyOne Dubuque for their care and kindness.
Cards and memorials in Mary Ann Erschen memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Mary Ann Erschen Family.