Rosemary Minnehan

Rosemary Minnehan, the daughter of Fred and Agnes (Grace) Monahan, was born January 12, 1927 at her parent’s home in Adaza, Iowa and departed this life September 8, 2016 at Sunnybrook Assisted Living Facility in Carroll, Iowa. She lived a happy, active and fulfilling life to the age of 89 years, 7 months and 26 days.

Rosemary attended rural school and then graduated from the Churdan High School in the class of 1944. She attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. After obtaining her teacher’s degree, she returned to Churdan and taught in rural schools in Greene and Calhoun counties.

On February 3, 1948, Rosemary Monahan was united in marriage to Philip “Bud” Minnehan at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lohrville. They farmed in Calhoun County for ten years until they bought a farm west of Churdan that they called home and raised their family for fifty-five years. To this union, three children were born.

In 1962, Rosemary was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Over the years, as she battled this disease, Rosemary would return to Rochester for treatment for Lupus and related ailments that afflicted her body, but never dampened her spirit. Rosemary lived a determined and full life, lovingly raising her family, and constantly volunteering in the community, being active in CDA, Rosary Society, CCW and 20th Century Club. Her love of God and church was proven with her active involvement at St. Columbkille and St. Patrick churches.

At retirement, Bud and Rosie liked to travel and especially enjoyed trips to California, Florida and Alaska. They also spent many winters in Arizona. Rosemary enjoyed playing bridge with friends in Churdan and euchre with family in Arizona, where she was known for trying to slip a card by you every once in a while.

Rosemary is survived by her husband, Philip “Bud;” three children: Quentin (Linda) Minnehan of Churdan, Elaine (Dennis) Taute of Scottsdale, Ariz. and John Minnehan of Yankton, S.D.; six grandchildren: Jason (Brooke) Minnehan, Michelle Minnehan, Kristen (Matthew) Percival, Sara (Brett) Estervig, Bryan (Natalie) Taute and Tyler Minnehan; and  seven great-grandchildren: Abby, Ty, and Will Estervig, Ava and Hallee Minnehan, Reese Golightly, Penny Percival and Lukas Minnehan; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Those who preceded her in death were her parents; grandson, Matthew Minnehan; three brothers: Eugene, Raymond and Michael; and four sisters: Grace Beschorner, Dorothy Higgins, Marcella Monahan and Genevieve Ganley.            

Mass of the Christian burial was held Monday, September 12, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Churdan with Father Tim Johnson officiating. Burial was at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Cedar Township. Organist at the service was Lois Last and Cantor was Greg Carey. Visitation was held at the church on Sunday where a Rosary was prayed led by John and Joanne Lonergan and a Vigil for the decease was led by Father Jeff Schleisman. Casket bearers were Duane Beschorner, Donald Beschorner, Richard Monahan, Jerome Monahan, Steve Higgins and Tom Monahan.

Friends are invited to make donations to the Lupus Foundation in Rosemary’s name.

Assisting the family was Brown Funeral Home, Churdan.