Ruth A Teply, 86, of Dubuque, IA, formerly of East Dubuque and Menominee, IL, passed away on Friday, January 16, 2026.

Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Miller Funeral Home in East Dubuque, IL, where funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, with Rev. Stephanie Ells officiating. Burial will be in the East Dubuque Cemetery in the Spring.

Ruth was born April 19, 1939, in Richland, NE, daughter of Ivah M (Harris) Way and Howard Way. She was a 1956 graduate of Schuyler High School. On May 3, 1959, she was united in marriage to Daniel F. Teply Jr., of Clarkson, NE. They were blessed with 61 years of marriage.

Ruth moved to Fremont, NE, to begin her career after high school graduation. It was there she met a handsome man named Dan and they were married that same year. They then opened Teply Hardware in Bloomfield, NE. After selling this family hardware store, Ruth followed Dan across the midwest (NE, MI and IL) as he worked with the US Department of Agriculture for over 30 years. Ruth worked hard her whole life contributing to the family, raising three amazing children, and served as a quiet rod of strength and love in all manner. In Dubuque, you may have seen her smiling face in the aisles of Sears, Theisens, or Wick’s Lumber.

Mom and Dad loved to dance. Square Dance, Polka, and 2-step. Many trips were taken to Nebraska and family vacations– listening to polka music, country music, and her favorite–Conway Twitty. They camped and took so many car rides together. She loved to garden and we all grew up on fresh vegetables and meals we still replicate. She loved with her whole heart and we always knew how important we were to her.

Surviving are her children, Daniel F (Michelle) Teply III, of Dubuque IA, David (Lynn) Teply, of Menominee, IL. Tamara (Jared) Sigwarth, of Dubuque, IA; a sister, Linda (Rich) Knapp, of Schuyler, NE; six grandchildren, Matthew, Andrew (Kaileah), Ava, William, Emma, and Ian: sister-in-law, Karen (Al) Sander, of Carrollton, TX; loving nieces and a nephew; and most importantly—a great grandchild due to bless the family in June (Andrew and Kaileah).

The family would like to thank her doctors and caretakers at MercyOne, in Dubuque, IA, with her transition in care and to Hawkeye Care Center in Dubuque, IA, and Hospice of Dubuque.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that memorial donations be made to the Menominee-Dunleith Fire Department, in Menominee, IL, where Ruth served as a Women’s Auxiliary member.

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