Virginia R. Callaghan 1909 - 2003

CALLAGHAN, KELSEY, MCCLARAN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/6/2014 at 20:38:44

Sioux City Journal
14 September 2003

SMITHLAND, Iowa -- Virginia R. Callaghan, 94, of Smithland died Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003, at Burgess Health Center in Onawa, Iowa. She had been a resident of Maple Height Nursing Home in Mapleton, Iowa, for the past three and a half years.

Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at United Methodist Church in Smithland. Burial will be in Little Sioux Cemetery. Visitation will be 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Willman Funeral Chapel in Rodney, Iowa.

Mrs. Callaghan was born April 1, 1909, in Holly Springs, Iowa, the daughter of Harry and Ammie (Kelsey) McClaran. She attended the Holly Springs school, graduating in 1926.

She married Carl S. Callaghan in 1928, in Nebraska. They farmed near Smithland. They retired in 1966 and moved into town. They wintered in Texas for many years.

She was a member of Smithland United Methodist Church, a 50-plus year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a past Matron of Evergreen Chapter. She loved and raised flowers and vegetables in her garden. She was an excellent cook and baker and dearly loved her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by two daughters, Betty Towne of San Diego, Calif., and Fern and her husband, Dick Struble of Sacramento, Calif.; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and her husband, Carl in 1997.

Memorials may be made to United Methodist Church in Smithland.