Evelyn "Irene" Flattery

Evelyn “Irene” Flattery, age 79, of Albia, passed away at Monroe County Care Center in Albia from an unforgiveable disease, Alzheimer’s, on Sunday, November 11, 2018, surrounded by her family. Irene was born on April 14, 1939, to Harold and Evelyn (Estlack) Gardner at home on the farm in Monroe County, Iowa. She grew up and attended school in Albia, graduating from the Albia High School with the class of 1957. After graduating from high school, Irene moved to Des Moines where she worked at Northwestern Bell telephone and made some lifelong friends, but she did not stay long. Richard “Dick” Flattery was an enticing reason for her to come home. On October 28, 1961, she was united in marriage to Dick and to this union, 4 children were born, Michael, Patrick, Patricia, and Michelle. Irene and Dick shared 38 years of marriage prior to his passing on March 20, 2000. Irene worked at AYM in Albia retiring in 2005, which gave her more time to do all of the things she enjoyed: eating chocolate, taking pictures of old barns, playing Canasta (with the same group of ladies for over 50 years), sewing, gardening, reading, traveling, and most importantly, spending time with her 7 grandchildren, Dustin Klein, Keshia Barbaglia, Kelsey Smith, Wyatt Flattery, Lexie and Jade Van Polen and Dylan Everett and 4 great grandchildren, Ruger Smith and Isabella, Jaxson, and Casen Barbaglia, She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia, as well as the Altar and Rosary Society and Parish Counsel. Irene is survived by 2 sons, Michael (Amber) Flattery of Moravia, IA and Patrick (Connie) Flattery of Marysville, IA; 2 daughters, Patricia (Ryan) Everett of Grimes, IA and Michelle (Jeff) Van Polen of Albia, IA; 7 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren. Irene is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends. Irene will be united in heaven with her husband, Dick Flattery; her parents, Harold and Evelyn; and a brother, Everett Gardner. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia, with Father Michael E. Volkmer C.PP.S. officiating. Burial will follow services at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Albia. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Irene's family present from 5:00-8:00 p.m. to greet family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to the Alzheimer’s Association or to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Evelyn "Irene" Flattery

April 14, 1939 - November 11, 2018