Patricia J. (Steil) Cullen Spensley, 87, of Dubuque, IA, formerly of East Dubuque, IL, peacefully passed away Friday, January 27, 2017, in her home in Dubuque, IA.

Patricia was born on April 28, 1929, in Perry, IA, the daughter of Walter F. and Ethel (Frommelt) Steil.  She married Thomas J. Cullen on October 7, 1950, at Holy Trinity Church, in Dubuque, IA.  He preceded her in death on July 16, 1996.  Patricia married Alan B. Spensley on May 3, 2003, at St. Mary's Church, in East Dubuque, IL.

Patricia graduated from Dubuque Senior High School, Class of 1946, as did her husband, Alan.  She was a member of St. Mary's Parish since 1964. She worked as a legal secretary for Stapleton, Ernst & Sprengelmeyer for many years.  She led an active life that included swimming, hiking, dancing and most importantly, spending time with friends and family.  She had a strong sense of curiosity and was engaged in the world around her. She also loved cats and dogs and enjoyed the company of family pets.  Her greatest joy and passion was family.

Surviving are her husband, Alan Spensley, of Dubuque, IA; three (3) children, Timothy (Elaine) Cullen, of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Judith Cullen, of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Jeffrey (Gina) Cullen, of Golden, CO; three (3) step-children, Steve (Kim) Spensley, of Pittsford, VT, Mike Spensley and Kathy Spensley, both of Dubuque, IA; five (5) grandchildren; seven (7) step-grandchildren; two (2) great-grandchildren; and eleven (11) step great-grandchildren; in-laws, Emmie Cullen, of Reno, NV, Lois (Tom) Hendricks, of Cuba City, WI, Jerry (Pat) Cullen, of Platteville, WI, Mary Ann (Jim) Reilly, of Shullsburg, WI, Geraldine "Jerry" Cullen, of Darlington, WI, William (Betty) Cullen, of The Villages, FL, Peg Dalsing, of Dubuque, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Thomas Cullen; her parents; her siblings and their spouses, LaVonne (Carl) Perrott, Mary Jane (Bernell) Busch, Peg (Frank) Saunders, Joanne (Carl) Schwarzhoff and William (Helen) Steil; in-laws, Joseph Cullen, Kate (Howard) Geisler, John (Mary) Cullen, Patricia (John) Smith, Dan Cullen, Cletus Dalsing, Helen Steil (who was married to Patricia's brother, William) and Dale Spensley; three (3) nieces, Sue (Smith) Fujoika, Lisa (Schwarzhoff) Schoessow and Pamela (Saunders) Santay; one (1) nephew, Kent Dalsing; and one (1) step great-grandchild, Henry Williams.

Friends may call from 4 P/M to 8 P/M, on Wednesday, February 1, 2017, at the Miller Funeral Home, in East Dubuque, IL, where the parish rosary will be recited at 3:45 P/M, on Wednesday.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A/M, on Thursday, February 2, 2017, at St. Mary's Church, in East Dubuque, IL, with Rev. Dean Smith officiating.  Burial will be in the East Dubuque Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Mary's Church, East Dubuque, IL.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com