Scully, Gertrude (O'Brien) 1907-2002

SCULLY, STENCE, OBRIEN, CAHILL

Posted By: Michael F. O'Brien (email)
Date: 2/7/2004 at 04:09:17

Gertrude Scully, 94, 704 N. Main, Elkader, Iowa, died at 11:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 6, 2002, at Winneshiek Co. Memorial Hospital, Decorah, Iowa.

Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Elkader. Burial was in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, rural Strawberry Point. Rev. Paul Peters and Msgr. Francis Friedl officiated. Pastoral Associate Sister Carole Freking officiated the scripture service on Sunday at the Leonard Funeral Home.

Honorary pallbearers were: Howard Meyers, Leon McTaggart, Henry Fedeler, Dennis Scully, Michael F. O’Brien, Henry Possehl, Galen Griffin, Harold Matt and John Wiley, Sr.

Pallbearers were: Robert Cahill, Wendell Meyers, Danny Meyers, Jeff O’Brien, Steve O’Brien, David McTaggart, Mike Stence and Lonnie Roys.

Lectors at Mass were Jim and Joan Cahill. Offertory Gifts were carried by Mrs. Mary Ellen Stalzer and Richard Cahill. A special dedication was presented in honor of Gertrude entitled “Memories” by the Great, Great and the Great, Great, Great nieces and nephews. Vocalists were: Becky Messler,Patty Griffin and Kevin Lau. Organist was Darlene Dittmer. Altar Servers were Brian Meyers, Jacob and Joseph Sparrgrove.

She was born on March 10, 1907, Strawberry Point daughter of Mary (Stence)and James O’Brien. She attended school in a Country School in Sperry Township through 8th grade. She attended Catholic High School in Danbury, Iowa. College work was completed in Cedar Falls, Iowa City and the remainder from Upper Iowa graduating in 1960 with a B.A.

She married Durward Scully on June 23, 1938 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cox Creek. Together they resided in Elkader where Gertrude taught school in rural Strawberry Point, Edgewood and Garnavillo. She taught 37 years retiring in 1972. Mr. Scully died on July 18,1990.

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church since 1941. Gertrude was an Honorary Guild member, Coterie Member, Genealogy Member, FourOaks Country Club, Kappa Kappa Gamma , Central Community Retired Teachers, Historical Society, Bridge Groups and various Card Clubs
She was a devoted Sister, Aunt, Great Aunt, Great Great Aunt and Great, Great, Great Aunt. She always enjoyed having the little children around her side. Teaching school children was another joy in her life.

Gertrude loved to read and enjoyed traveling around the world. She always enjoyed her time with the little children in her life. She would often spend time reading to them and sharing memories. Gertrude’s strong faith in God was very evident in her life.

Surviving are one sister, Ellen Cahill from Sun City, Florida. Also several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Durward. Also two brothers: George and Frank O’Brien and one sister, Sister Mary Jerome.