Catherine Julia Beary

Catherine Julia Beary, age 96, passed away Saturday, July 1st, 2017 at the Homestead Assisted Living in Albia under the care of HCI Hospice. She was born September 4, 1920 to Mike and Julia (Navin) Knowles. She married Martin Leo Beary on September 25, 1941, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Melrose. They shared 51 years of marriage on their farm west of Loviia before Leo’s passing in July, 1993. Catherine and Leo were blessed with six children, Jim, Don, Marge, Mary Kay, Rita, and Gene A graduate of Melrose High School, class of 1938, Catherine received her teaching certificate from William Penn College. She taught three years at Jack Oak country school east of Melrose before her marriage. After her family was raised, Catherine returned to the classroom as a substitute teacher for over 25 years with both the Albia Community and Twin Cedars school districts. Catherine was always very involved with her church and community activities. She was a devout Catholic and former member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Weller, and later a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia. She served many terms as an officer of the Weller St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society and was also a member of Albia St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society. She shared her vast knowledge of homemaking skills, especially, sewing and cooking, as a 4-H leader and served on the County 4-H Committee. Catherine was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. She was a member of the Monroe County Retired Teachers Association. Catherine was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and a wonderful caring neighbor and friend to many. She was especially proud of her family and never missed an opportunity to attend any activity where family members were participants and relished in their accomplishments. She hoped that all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren will live their lives following her favorite slogan, “We do the best we can, and if we could do any better, we would.” Surviving are five children; Jim (Shirley) of Lovilia, Don (Mary) of Lenexa, KS, Marge (Gene) Waters of Muscatine, Mary Kay (Mike) Lampe of West Point and Gene (Shelly) of Lovilia; son-in-law Gary Kalmes of Glen Allen, VA; eighteen grandchildren, Beverly (Randy) Derby, Mary Lou (CD) Curran, Pat (Aandrea) Beary, Steve (Tina) Beary, Debbie (Pat) McAninch, Maureen (Jeff) McAnarney, Allison (Bill) Brown, Mike (Christine) Beary, Greg (Pam) Waters, Julie (Steve) Prunchak, Tim (Michelle) Waters, Michelle (Terry) Montgomery, Marsha (Tim) Lupardus, Molly (Les) Hoffman, Mark (Jane) Kalmes, Kim (Shaun) Campbell, Marty Beary, and Daniel Beary; grandson-in-law, Rich Purkey; forty-one great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Lois Knowles and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mike and Julia Knowles; husband, M. Leo; daughter, Rita Kalmes; granddaughter, Elizabeth Purkey; great grandson, Zachary Beary; sister, Mary Mahoney; two brothers, John Knowles and Pat Knowles. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 7, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia with Fr. Michael E. Volkmer, C.PP.S. and Fr. Mark Yates C.PP.S. officiating. Burial will follow services in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Albia. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2017 from 1:00-8:00 p.m. at the Tharp Funeral Home with Catherine’s family present throughout to greet family and friends. A Rosary will be led at 4:00 p.m. by the St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 7:00 p.m.

Catherine Julia Beary

September 4, 1920 - July 1, 2017