GREENAN, Mary Frances (PIRKL)

PIRKL, GREENAN, SIGLIN, HANSEN, RISER, MINERT, ROWE, LEONARD, CURLEY, MURRAY, BAILEY, WOOD, BENSON, GREENAN-PANNKUK

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/22/2018 at 10:56:48

Obituary ~ Mary Frances (Pirkl) Greenan
October 13, 1928 ~ August 15, 2006

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, August 17, 2006

MASON CITY — Mary Frances Greenan went to be with her husband and her Lord on August 15, 2006, on the feast day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary [August 15, 2006]. Mary was brave and dignified as she lived on at the nursing home, after Wes died on May 25, 2004. Her courage and grace were evident each day as she battled the insidious disease which was Alzheimer’s disease.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday (Aug. 18, 2006) at Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams Ave., with the Rev. Jon Seda officiating. Private family inurnment services will take place at a later date in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with a musical Scripture service at 7 p.m.

Mary Frances arrived in this world under difficult circumstances on Oct. 13, 1928, in Gilmore City, Iowa. Her father, Frank, had been transferred from Northwestern Cement in Mason City, to the Gilmore City operation for a short time. The country doctor who delivered her was drunk and both mother and daughter nearly died on that day. She was the only child of Frank B. and Gertrude Mary (Siglin) Pirkl. Mary Frances always wanted brothers and sisters, but it was not possible. So, as an only child, she was truly the light of Frank and Gert’s life. Mary Frances was raised in Mason City, attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School and graduated in the class of 1946. She was a bright, fun and active student and one of two girls in her class to take calculus. She played on the JoEttes girls basketball team and was a cheerleader for the Johawks boys basketball team.

Mary’s musical talent begin in early elementary school. She continued using this gift of music throughout her entire life. While playing for hundreds of weddings and funerals, requests for special music was no challenge. If someone wanted a secular song where a sacred hymn should be, she found a way to make it happen. She was especially known for making “Spanish Eyes,” “76 Trombones” and “Chicago” into Liturgical music. Holy Family Church was the greatest beneficiary of her musical talent. She began directing the choir and playing the organ in 1954. She tirelessly took on this commitment and continued until early 2004, when the disease was robbing her of the ability to navigate the stairs to the choir loft and organize the music as she had always done. She sang and played the organ for years at all of the area funeral homes, Adas Israel Synagogue, First Baptist Church and other area churches.

Mary Frances met the love of her life at the Surf Ballroom in the fall of 1946, while Wes was home on leave from the Navy. They had their first dance that evening and it was love at first sight for both of them. That was the beginning of a 58-year dance that continued until Wes’s death in 2004. They were married on Jan. 20, 1951, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. They were the parents of two children, Mary Elizabeth and Michael Francis. Those who knew her well, knew that she always put her husband and children first. She was fierce in her loyalty and protection of her family, with the resolve that no one would ever hurt her children. Unconditional love was a given and it was a special blessing. She also taught her children to speak their minds and stand up for themselves regardless of the cost.

Her accomplishments were many and well known in the community. But Mary was most proud of her role as a devoted and caring daughter, wife and mother. She had a surreal bond with her “special” grandson, Brent. She prayed for him every day of her life until he passed away on April 29, 2001.

Mary Frances graduated from St. Joseph School of Nursing in 1949 as a registered nurse, serving Mercy Hospital from 1949 through 1981. Her career path began as a surgical nurse and she spent 20 of those years in charge of the operating and recovery rooms, emergency room and central supply. True to her caring nature, she was known as “Mom” or “Dear Abby” to hundreds of employees throughout the years. After retirement from nursing, she served as Second Ward City Councilperson for 11 years. She was known for doing her homework, her honesty, fairness and listening to her constituents. She was a strong supporter for the rights of all city employees. After that, since true retirement was not in her vocabulary, she worked as secretary and office manager of Holy Family Parish for 10 years.

Mary spent her married years supporting Wes’s career in law enforcement and passion for softball. She was a supportive police officer’s wife and proud of Wes’s rise to chief of police and graduation from the FBI Academy in Washington, D.C.

Mary and the kids followed as Wes played and coached softball for 50 years. When Michael was old enough, he took his place on the team roster. The tradition continues with Michael, his step-son and grandchildren. The family spent each summer at local ballfields and traveling the state and region, cheering on their state championship teams. Again, true to her nature, Mary was “Mother Mary” to countless ball players, their wives and girlfriends.

While Mary Beth and Michael were in high school, Mary was again known as “Mother Mary” to their many friends. She was famous for her “vigils” while waiting for them to come home from dates or events. She could be found waiting with her rosary beads in one hand, a Pall Mall in the other hand and a Pepsi on the table. Her sense of humor and wild story telling were well known in and outside the family. The Bohemian and Irish ancestry came together and created a woman who embraced life with courage, love, faith and a deep sense of self. She had boundless energy and strength for the life she was given by God.

Animals loved Mary and she believed that they were all God’s creatures. She especially enjoyed the visits at the nursing home from Mary Beth and Mark’s dog, her granddog, Saji. She never failed to ask every day, “How’s my Saji?" Through the years she was a caretaker to many family pets and strays.

Mary lived her final years at Heritage Care Center. She was happy in the room she called her “little apartment.” Her long-term memory was a gift from God, allowing her to enjoy conversations with family and friends until the end.

Remember always that Mary Frances loved you if she knew you. Her heart was big enough to hold all those she met on her life’s journey. For Christmas of 2005, she had a star named for her with the International Star Registry called “Flabersham’s Light.” So, if you are feeling lonely and need a reminder of Mary Frances, just look up. The brightest star in the heavens will be shining and winking especially for you.

Those left to cherish and celebrate her memory include: Daughter, Mary Beth Greenan and husband, Mark Hansen; son, Michael Francis Greenan, wife Dee and their family: Jeff, Cindy, Johnnie, Austin, Destina and Ashley Riser. Special “relative”, Sandy Minert and her granddogs, Saji and Dino. As an only child, her cousins were like brothers and sisters and include local area cousins: Paul (Shirley) Pirkl, Jean (Dale) Rowe, David (Toni) Leonard, and a host of other Curley, Siglin and Murray cousins. Nieces: Kim (Gary) Bailey, Leslie (Keith) Wood, Lori Greenan (Jeannine Benson), and nephew, Dan (Connie) Greenan. College roommate and friend for 60 years, Eleanor Murray of Buffalo Center.

Those happy to welcome her home are: Husband, Wes Greenan; Parents, Frank and Gert Pirkl; Grandson, Brent Greenan-Pannkuk; In-laws, Paul and Ragna Greenan. Brother and sister-in-law, Verne and Joan Greenan; niece, Kathy Greenan; cousins, Jack Curley and Judy Leonard.

Memorials may be directed to the Mary Frances Greenan Memorial Fund to be distributed to: Holy Family Church, Humane Society of North Iowa, Mason City Police Memorial Honor Guard, Hospice of North Iowa and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (641) 423-0924.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2018