Blanche (Smith) McGrath (1895-1983)

HARTSOCK, LARSON, KNUTSON, MCGRATH, SMITH

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:00

August 10, 1895 --- September 15, 1983

Mrs. Blanche Smith McGrath, the daughter of John C. and Louisa J, Hartsock Smith, was born in Christian County, Ill., on Aug. 10, 1895. When she was a baby, her family moved to the Eagle Grove, Iowa area, where she grew up and received her education. She was united in marriage with Earl John McGrath of Eagle Grove in October of 1913. To this union were born four children, Harold, James, Mary Lou and Martha. The family lived in Eagle Grove, where Mr. McGrath was in the insurance and real estate business and was the Eagle Grove City Clerk for 29 years. Mr. McGrath died in August of 1975.

Mrs. McGrath had been a resident of the Rotary Ann Home in Eagle Grove for the past few years. She was a member of the United Church of Christ, and was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Eagle Grove Garden Club and was a Practical Nurse.

She died at the Rotary Ann Home on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 15, 1983 at the age of 88 years, one month and five days.

She is survived by two daughters, Mary Lou, Mrs. Roy Larson of Mason City and Martha, Mrs. Robert Knutson of New Ulm, Minn.; a son, James McGrath of Keosauqua; nine grandchildren, Lynne, John, Kent, Kimary, Kristin, James, Stephen, Mark and Martha; ten great-grandchildren, Erika, Karl, Nate, Robert, Penney, Jamie, Abraham, Sara, Jessica, Mary, Anna and Olaf and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son, Harold, a granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth, one sister and eight brothers.

Funeral services for Mrs. Blanche McGrath, 88, of Eagle Grove, were held on Saturday, Sept. 17, 1983 at 2 p.m. at the Kastler-Babcock Funeral Home. Rev. Kenneth R. Reiter, pastor of the United Church of Christ officiated and burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
September 21, 1983