GALLAGHER, Frances Marie (Larkin) 1924-2002

GALLAGHER, LARKIN, LINK, VERTHEIN, MCGEOUGH, DAY

Posted By: SGF
Date: 2/10/2003 at 02:38:19

Frances Marie (Larkin) Gallagher was welcomed to eternal life on December 19, 2002. Funeral services were held Monday, December 23 at St. Patrick Church, Waukon, with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Waukon, with Rev. Maurice O. Gallagher and Rev. Joseph Schneider officiating. Frances was born on June 13, 1924, in rural Rossville, Iowa to John and Miranda (Link) Larkin. She graduated from St. Patrick High School in Waukon in 1942 and completed one year of schooling at Waukon Junior College. Frances enjoyed working as a telephone operator until her marriage to Vernon F. Gallagher on November 15, 1944. Vernon was her best friend and constant companion for over fifty-eight years. Frances delighted in their ten children, and throughout her life, always put their needs first. Her devotion to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren kept her spirit youthful. Her passion was family. She carefully and thoroughly researched family history and was an avid collector of family photographs and newspaper clippings. Her efforts have provided all her children with an abiding interest and understanding of family history which goes back in time for many generations. In addition to her family, Frances felt a commitment to church and community. She represented St. Patrick Parish on the Key "73" Board, a multi-denominational committee established to begin the ecumenical movement which brought together the congregations of the various religious denominations in Waukon for shared religious services and activities. The basis of the Key 73 Committee ultimately went on to develop the initial stages of the Southcrest Manor Apartments for the elderly in southwest Waukon. In addition to service on a variety of church related committees and service units, Frances also served as a unit leader on the committee to raise funds for the construction of the elementary school for St. Patrick Parish in Waukon. She was a charter member of the Waukon Lioness Club and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. Survivors include her spouse, Vernon F. Gallagher; her children Sister Mary Suzanne (Theresa) Gallagher, Maurice (Lorraine) Gallagher, Michael Gallagher, Daniel (Renay) Gallagher, Mary (Mark) Verthein, Monica (Kenny) McGeough, Martha (Dale) Day, and Paul Gallagher; 29 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; siblings Eleanor (Edward) Ryan, Clem Larkin, John B. Larkin, Charles Larkin, Evelyn (Roy) Reuter, Herbert Larkin, Raymond Larkin, and Alice Murphy. She was preceded in death by her sons Patrick and David and her sister Marian (Charles) Ryan. Pallbearers were her grandsons, Troy Gallagher, Travis Gallagher, Trent Gallagher, Nick Verthein, Eric Verthein, Matthew Beisker, Michael C. Gallagher, Jr., and John Gallagher. Honorary pallbearers were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

©Waukon Standard 2002
-source: Waukon Standard December 25, 2002