Mass of the Resurrection was offered Monday, May 18, at St Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson for Nora Garrity, 97, of Jefferson.
Mass was concelebrated by Msgr Kevin McCoy of Fort Dodge and the Rev Jeff Schleismann, pastor of the church. Lector was Sr Celesta Day, FSPA. Gift bearers were Denise Summerson and Linda Eighmy. Rhena Lane was pianist, and Casey Day and Gary Haupert were soloists.
Casket bearers were Casey Day, Brendan Day, Missy Walker, Matt Wolterman, Mark Wolterman, Pat Summerson and Rod Eighmy. Interment was at St Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Jefferson.
Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home of Jefferson assisted the family.
Nora Amelia Garrity was born on February 13, 1918, the third child of Mike and Nellie (Thomas) Miller. She grew up on a farm outside of Woodbine, IA (Shelby County), and enjoyed milking cows and working outside with her brothers, leaving the cooking and housework to her sister.
She married Leo Day of rural Jefferson in 1941 and was widowed in 1945 when he was killed in action during World War II’s Battle of the Bulge. In 1947 Nora married Francis (Pete) Garrity of Jefferson. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where she belonged to the Catholic Daughters of America and gave generously of her time over the years.
Since 2009 Nora has lived at The Gardens Retirement Community where she had many friends and could always be counted on to join a game of cards or Rummikub.
Although Nora worked part time at Merle Norman Cosmetics and later at Zimmer’s Paint Store, she excelled at being a homemaker, loving wife and caring mother. She was tireless in her care and concern for Dianna, her oldest daughter who had special needs, and she remained devoted to her throughout Dianna’s life.
Nora and Pete were members of the Elks where they attended many Saturday night dances with friends, who were often invited to the Garrity home for parties and celebrations. Nora loved to drive and frequently took her mother Nellie, and her daughters Mary and Dianna on trips throughout the United States. After Pete retired, the two of them spent their winters in Arizona where they enjoyed the warmer climate and the many friends they made there.
Nora was known for her many beautiful counted cross stitch pictures she completed over the years, including those she created for the weddings of each of her grandchildren. She loved beautiful things and in her more active years she could always be seen watering her geraniums and flowers in the summertime.
Nora died May 13, 2015, in Jefferson. She was preceded in death by her parents Mike and Nellie Miller, two brothers Glenn and Leo, her sister Helen (Dunivan), husband Leo Day, husband Pete Garrity, a grandson Andy Wolterman and daughter Dianna Day.
She is survived by her children Dennis (Trisha) Day of Oregon, WI, Mary (Mike) Wolterman of Jefferson, five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Nora was loved by all who knew her and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She will always be remembered for her generous and loving spirit, her enthusiasm and sense of fun, and her wonderful gift for making everyone feel happy to have known her.
