Mary A. Mcgowan
May 6, 1911 — November 20, 2005
Mary A. McGowan, 94, a resident of Bickford Cottage in Marion, formerly of Alburnett, died Sunday, November 20, 2005, at the care center. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 23, 2005, at St. Stephen?s Catholic Church in Central City by Rev. Wayne Droessler. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Central City where a vigil service will begin at 7:00 p.m. Graveside Committal: 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at St. John?s Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include her children, Mary (Norman) Nietert of Springville, Pat (Richard) Stickney of Marion, Peggy (Rick) Opfer of Central City and Joe (Carol) McGowan of Dubuque; a son-in-law, Robert Batcheler of Central City; a sister Catherine Willwerth of Jesup; a sister-in-law, Elsie Damisch of Cedar Rapids; eighteen grandchildren; thirty-four great-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joseph; a daughter, Betty; three brothers; two sisters; and a granddaughter, Melissa Opfer.
Mary was born May 6, 1911, the daughter of Anton and Maria (Riepl) Damisch in Langenrohl, Austria. She came to America when she was eighteen months old. Mary graduated from Tama High School in 1929. On October 1, 1932, she married Joseph McGowan at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. He died December 26, 1961. Mary worked a variety of jobs for "Kelly Girls? including Adcraft, Recorders Office and Social Security Office. She was also a self-employed farmer.
Mary was a member of St. Stephen?s Catholic Church in Central City where she had been the organist for many years. She worked from dawn to dusk and enjoyed gardening, planting flowers, cooking and fishing. Mary was very dedicated to her family.
Memorials may be directed to St. Stephen?s Catholic Church in Central City in Mary?s memory.
Survivors include her children, Mary (Norman) Nietert of Springville, Pat (Richard) Stickney of Marion, Peggy (Rick) Opfer of Central City and Joe (Carol) McGowan of Dubuque; a son-in-law, Robert Batcheler of Central City; a sister Catherine Willwerth of Jesup; a sister-in-law, Elsie Damisch of Cedar Rapids; eighteen grandchildren; thirty-four great-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joseph; a daughter, Betty; three brothers; two sisters; and a granddaughter, Melissa Opfer.
Mary was born May 6, 1911, the daughter of Anton and Maria (Riepl) Damisch in Langenrohl, Austria. She came to America when she was eighteen months old. Mary graduated from Tama High School in 1929. On October 1, 1932, she married Joseph McGowan at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. He died December 26, 1961. Mary worked a variety of jobs for "Kelly Girls? including Adcraft, Recorders Office and Social Security Office. She was also a self-employed farmer.
Mary was a member of St. Stephen?s Catholic Church in Central City where she had been the organist for many years. She worked from dawn to dusk and enjoyed gardening, planting flowers, cooking and fishing. Mary was very dedicated to her family.
Memorials may be directed to St. Stephen?s Catholic Church in Central City in Mary?s memory.
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