Mary Y. Donnelly Fleckenstein 1931-2007

FLECKENSTEIN, HILBRANT, DONNELLY, AYERS, SMITH, BURKE, WILLIAMS, MAUER

Posted By: J. Nicks (email)
Date: 11/12/2007 at 15:15:32

Telegraph Herald
Dubuque, Iowa
SUnday, November 11, 2007

Mary Fleckenstein

Mrs. Orval (Mary) Fleckenstein, 76, of 2015 St. John Drive, died peacefully at home on Friday, Nov. 9, 2007.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Resurrection Catholic Church. Burial will be in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Siegert-Casper Colonial Funeral Home, 390 N. Grandview Ave., where there will be a wake service at 7:30 p.m.

She was born on Oct. 17, 1931, in Clinton, Ill., daughter of William G. and Lillian Aldora (Hilbrant) Donnelly. She married Orval M. Fleckenstein on Oct. 8, 1955, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Dubuque.

She graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in Des Moines.

Mary was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, co-worker, volunteer and neighbor whose life was rooted in her faith while she quietly lived out the Ten Commandments with a servant's heart.

She had a spirit of excellence in everything she did. While raising six children, she worked at St. Anthony's School and faithfully attended all her children's athletic and school events. She repaired everything from the washing machine to the office copier. She was a loyal Hawkeyes fan and spoiled her family with her culinary talents.

She later retired from the Archdiocesan Center of Dubuque as their secretary/bookkeeper in the finance department. Mary was truthful, honest, humble, supportive and truly a remarkable individual who loved God and family while living a good life in plain view of all. She never mentioned her personal accomplishments, yet supported others to help them achieve theirs. A true testament of a perfect wife and mother.

Her presence will be missed in the here and now, but for those of us who knew Mary, her life had a positive effect that is sure to outlast our lifetimes.

Surviving are her husband, Orval; her children, Mary Jo (David) Ayers, Kathleen M. (Rod A.) Smith and Thomas J., all of Dubuque, Joseph (Karen), of Peosta, Iowa, David W. (Penny Sue) of Carrollton, Texas, and Anne M. (Michael) Burke, of Rochelle, Ill.; her grandchildren, Kevin and Amy Ayers, Steven and Ryan Smith, Kali (Mitchel) Williams, Carrie, Abbie, Elizabeth and Madison Fleckenstein, Eric, Lucas and Ellen Fleckenstein and Anthony and Tyler Mauer; her great-grandchildren, Tiffani, Macey Catherine and one expected in March; a brother, William G. (Louise) Donnelly Jr., and a sister-in-law, Julie Donnelly; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Jim.

In lieu of flowers, a Mary Y. Fleckenstein Memorial Fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at info@egelhofsiegertcasper.com.

Mary wanted to thank her friends and family for their love and support, the staff of Dubuque Internal Medicine's Oncology Department and Hospice of Dubuque.