Virginia M. Gremm 1917-2009

LYNCH, RYAN, GREMM, ROSS, MCCORMICK, LEMMONS

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 9/4/2009 at 20:22:46

Virginia M. Gremm

Virginia M. Gremm of Waukon, age 91, passed away Friday, August 21 in Waukon. Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 25 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon with Father Joe Schneider officiating. Burial was at St. Benedict's Cemetery, Decorah, with arrangements by Hanson Funeral Home, Waukon.

Virginia Ryan was born October 10, 1917 on the farm of her parents, Edward and Mame (Lynch) Ryan. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, West Ridge. She graduated from Waukon High School in 1936 and married Raymond Lester Gremm September 23, 1936 at West Ridge. They began farming together in the Canoe Community of NE Decorah, working side by side plowing the fields, bailing the hay, picking corn, milking cows and raising chickens.

Virginia worked at various jobs around Canoe and Decorah, and she was president of the Women's Relief Corps while living in the Decorah area until 1953. She and her husband then moved to Cedar Rapids, where Virginia worked at Rockwell Collins until retiring in 1979. She and Ray then traveled and spent many winters in Arizona and summers in Independence. During her life, Virginia lived in Independence, Ossian, Waukon, Cedar Rapids, Quasqueton and Decorah.

Virginia was a faithful member of St. John's Church in Independence, where she served as part-time receptionist and funeral dinners chairperson. She enjoyed dancing, TV, reading and going out with friends, and followed the Iowa Hawkeyes to Rose Bowl and home games. Virginia was a beloved mother and grandmother and a friend to many, spending her whole life helping others.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, who died in 1983; her brother, Edmund; and her sister, Madonna Gremm Ross.

She is survived by two daughters, Karen Ann (James) McCormick of Waukon and Janet Eileen (special friend Steve) Lemmons of Hiawatha; 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren.

Casket bearers were Rob, Rick, Jim, Don and Tom Booher, Jon Stribling and Robert Reynolds.

The Waukon Standard, August 26, 2009
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