Ethel C. Gassmann 1905- 2001

GASSMANN, MCNAMARA, DEAN, BANE, DRENZEK, ASSELL, MILLHOLLIN

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 5/26/2016 at 10:40:28

Ethel C. Gassmann, 96, of the Dubuque Nursing and Rehab, formerly of 897 W. Locust St., died at 4 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2001, at the center.

Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West, Iowa. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at Siegert-Didesch Colonial Funeral Home, 390 N. Grandview Ave., where there will be a wake service at 3 p.m.

She was born on March 10, 1905, in Dubuque County, daughter of Anthony and Cecelia (McNamara) Gassmann.

She was a graduate of St. Joseph Academy Elementary and High Schools, and attended the former Bayless Business College. During 1934 to 1936 she served as under secretary in the U.S. House of Representatives, Washington. Returning to Dubuque, she was employed at Didesch Funeral Home from October 1936 until she retired in 1983.

During the intervening years she was organist at St. Patrick's Church for more than 50 years. She was a 50-year member of the Dubuque Wa-Tan-Ye Club and served as president, secretary, and national correspondent for the club. During World War II, she volunteered time to the Red Cross and served with the Dubuque unit in transporting needed supplies for entertainment of the wounded servicemen at Schick Hospital, Clinton, Iowa.

In 1983, she initiated a $500 scholarship program to the three Dubuque high schools under the sponsorship of the Dubuque Wa-Tan-Ye Club. She was a lifelong member of St. Patrick's Church, and its rosary society.

On June 17, 1941, during the visit of Dennis Morgan, a movie star, to Dubuque, she accompanied him in concert at the Loras Rock Bowl. From 1926 until 1931, she was theatre organist at the Grand Theatre prior to the installation of sound movies. She also served as a leader in Girl Scouts and received a 10 year award pin for her services in 1947.

Surviving are a sister, Lucille C. Ruff; and she was the beloved aunt of Betty L. (Robert) Dean, Mary F. (Ed) Bane, Barbara J. (Ronald) Drenzek, Judy Assell; and many great-nieces and nephews; and great-great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Marcella Millhollin and Calista Gassmann.

Memorials may be given to Mount Carmel BVM Sisters of Charity.

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Thursday, December 20, 2001