GLEASON, Juanita Oliva "Jennie" (BARRAGAN)

GARRAGAN, GLEASON, OLIVE, PETERSON, REYOXO, ALVEREZ, HUSTON, GASCA

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/8/2018 at 03:41:54

Obituary ~ Juanita O. "Jennie" (Barragan) Gleason
January 31, 1922 ~ April 05, 2003

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Tuesday, April 08, 2003

MASON CITY — Juanita O. "Jennie" Gleason, 81, of 440 25th St. S.W., died following a short illness on Saturday morning (April 5, 2003) at USA Healthcare Center in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 302 Fifth St. S.E. in Mason City, with the Rev. Carl A. Ries officiating mass in celebration of Jennie's life. Interment will follow at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E. in Mason City, with a prayer service scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. In honor of her Mexican heritage, the rosary will be recited in Spanish. Those wishing to extend memorials or an expression of sympathy may direct them to the family.

Juanita Oliva Gleason was born Jan. 31, 1922, in San Franciso Del Rincon, Mexico, to Henry R. and Julia (Oliva) Barragan. Since 1935, Jennie has been a resident of the Mason City area and until recently, enjoyed many years in her home located at 1316 N. Washington Ave.

She was a dedicated employee for 26 years at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in the housekeeping department and formally retired in January of 1988.

On May 8, 1954, Jennie was united in marriage to George G. Gleason at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Mason City. They became the proud parents of two children, Dave and Patti. George and Jennie treasured the opportunity to travel together, especially their yearly visit with George's family in San Antonio, Texas. They expressed much joy in attending Mexican dances at various area locations.

Jennie took great pride in nurturing her family with unconditional love and her wonderful cooking ability. Dave and Patti have fond memories of their mother preparing and serving tamales at Christmas time, her Sunday beef roast dinners and carnitas.

One of the simple pleasures Jennie enjoyed, was washing dishes at anyone's home, anytime. She greatly loved the holidays and large family gatherings. Her family expressed that Jennie was very generous and always well organized.

She was a small but mighty woman who found great passion in maintaining a meticulous home and yard. She lovingly tended to her beautiful tulips and roses.

Jennie will be sadly missed by her daughter, Patricia Peterson, of Fridley, Minn. and her son, David Gleason and his wife, Chris and their daughters, Crystal and Savannah, of Mason City. She is also survived by her four sisters, Ramona Reynozo, of Kansas City, Kan., Carmelita "Carmen" Alvarez and Carolyn "Carrie" Huston, of Mason City, and Josephine "Josie" Gasca, and her husband, Modesto, of Mason City; two brothers, Joe "Danny" Barragan, and his wife, Ortencia, of St. Paul, Minn., and C.R. Barragan, and his wife, Noel, of Minneapolis, Minn.; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Preceding Juanita in death were her husband, George G. Gleason; her parents, Henry and Julia Barragan; three sisters, two brothers, two brothers-in-law, and one nephew.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, (641) 423-8676.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2018