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Elma E. Tracy (2010)

TRACY, REIS, BINDEL, MILLER

Posted By: Shirley Keating (email)
Date: 12/16/2010 at 23:13:45

Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa
December 15, 2010

ELMA E. TRACY, WINTERSET

Elma Tracy began her life’s journey in 1911 in Bridgewater being the sixth born to Martin and Emma Reis Tracy. After enduring the great depression, Elma, along with her family, moved from Bridgewater to rural Madison County in 1940.

For the rest of her life, Elma would live on a farm southeast of Winterset that she worked with her sister Irenne and her brother Richard. It was here on the farm she developed and practiced her strong love of family. While she never had children of her own, her strong sense of family always left her a willing caregiver for scores of youngsters. Her love of family was not practiced just on the young. As her relatives aged, Elma worked as a dutiful provider and nurse. From her mother to an aunt, to her sister Irenee and brother Dick, she was there to provide care in their home.

It was on the farm where Elma’s love of the land showed her to be a good caregiver for God’s beautiful Earth. Her work ethic on the family farm was one you would be hard pressed to find anywhere in today’s world. Elma was a fine steward of God’s land nurturing it to be an abundant earth and then sharing those treasures abundantly with her family, friends and neighbors.

Elma’s life was also one of loving service to her God. She was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church helping to make sure the church was beautiful whether it be cleaning the church or providing flowers from her garden. Elma was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, helping in whatever capacity she was able to contribute. Elma’s respect for church was obvious in her appearance at church. For her Sunday was the Lord’s Day and a trip to church meant you were always in your Sunday best ... including the signature Tracy hats. Last year Church Women United honored Elma by naming her Valiant Woman of the Year. She earned this award because of her love of family, love of the land, and her love of God. Around her neighborhood, Elma was active in The Community Circle of Scott Township.

Elma’s life journey ended on Friday, December 10, 2010, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa. She is survived by her sister-in law, Marguerite Tracy of Des Moines; five nephews; and four nieces. Preceding her in death were her parents, Martin and Emma (Reis) Tracy; brothers, Raymond E. Tracy, infant George M. Tracy, Martin F. Tracy, Thomas J. Tracy, and Richard G. Tracy; and sisters, Margaretha C. Tracy, Irenee S. Tracy, Marie A. Bindel, and I. Marcella Miller.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, Dec. 14, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winterset with Father Chris Hartshorn officiating. Burial was in the Winterset Cemetery. Visitation was Monday from 3-8 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m.

Memorials will be directed to St. Joseph Catholic Church. Arrangements were handled by McCalley-Collins Funeral Home.

Gravestone Photo
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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