Irma W. (Frey) McNamara 1917-2015

MCNAMARA, FREY, NORPEL, DIGMANN, CARNAHAN, CARLSON, HOGAN, COLLINS, CHET YANT, WINGERT

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 6/15/2016 at 21:49:58

Irma W. McNamara, 97, of Dubuque, Iowa, died Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at Stonehill Care Center surrounded by loving family.

There will be a visitation at the Hoffmann-Schneider Funeral Home, 1640 Main St., on Sunday, April 12, 2015, from 4 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 13, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1701 Rhomberg Ave. Rev. Kyle Digmann will officiate. A brief graveside ceremony will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Key West.

Irma was born on Sept. 25, 1917, in Dubuque, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Norpel) Frey. She graduated from the Immaculate Conception Academy, and worked as a bookkeeper for H&W Motor Company. On Feb. 16, 1946, she married William McNamara in Dubuque. Irma enjoyed a remarkable life full of love for her ever-expanding family.

She and her husband Bill started Merri-Mac Family Shopping Service. Their charm and work ethic turned that into a very successful business for many years. Irma and Bill treasured their many employees, and considered them extended family. In the 1970's they purchased an old warehouse building in downtown Dubuque, and began a renovation project that became the seed of the restoration of Dubuque's Historic Millwork District.

She is survived by her three children, Ellen (David) Carnahan, of Platteville; Tim (Davida) McNamara and Patrick (Christine) McNamara, of Dubuque. Irma was also the proud grandmother of 7 grandchildren: Nick Carnahan, Kate (Tom) Carlson, Peter (Christina) McNamara, and Daniel and Sarah McNamara, Grace and David (Samantha) Hogan, and 6 great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, whom she dearly loved.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, in 1986, her parents, 5 sisters and brother-in-laws, Gus and Robert Collins, Marie and Urban Haas, Julia and Henry Cofer, Dorothy and Chet Yant, and Loretta and Melvin Wingert, and three brothers, Fr. Flavian Frey, Joe and Ceil Frey, and Bill and Jean Frey.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the William and Irma McNamara Scholarship Fund at Loras College.

Special thanks to Carlene and her compassionate staff in the 3rd floor household of Stonehill Care Center, to Hospice of Dubuque, and to Ann O'Brien, parish nurse of St. Raphael's parish.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hoffmannschneider funeralhomes.com.

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Saturday, April 11, 2015