Agnes Cecelia Gergely

Agnes Cecelia Gergely of rural Albia passed away on Saturday, August 30 at Monroe County Hospital under the care of Monroe County Hospice. She was born on May 11, 1924 in rural Melrose. Her parents were Agnes Cecelia Killion and Edward Cleary. Her maternal grandparents were Anna McDonough and Edward Killion. Her paternal grandparents were Margaret McGee and James Cleary. She grew up and attended country school in rural Melrose. She graduated from Melrose High School in 1940. She married George Gergely on August 12, 1953 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Des Moines, Iowa. George's great-niece, Mary Ann Rossi Conrad, who met Agnes at St. Catherine's Hall in Des Moines, Iowa, introduced Agnes and George in August 1952. Agnes and George were blessed with two children: Rita and Joann (Steve) Gergely Bedner. George passed away in 1974. Agnes is survived by her daughters; two grandchildren: Christine Germaine Bedner and Caitlyn Glee Bedner; and one great-granddaugher, Gladys Jo-Agnes Rowe. She is also survived by a sister, Wilhemina Carroll of Des Moines. Finally, she is survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. During World War II, Agnes built bombers in factories in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and in California. She came back to Des Moines after the war ended to help care for her nieces and nephews. She worked at various restaurants and was the head cashier for Kresgese in Des Moines. She become a stay-at-home wife and cared for George's mother, Anna Gergely, until she died in 1961. After her daughters were born, she was a stay-at-home mother until George passed away in 1974. She then worked at Ben Franklin's in Albia and Monroe County Public Health. She provided home care to many people on her own and through Monroe County Public Health. Agnes enjoyed her children's activities, including 4-H, music, and scholastic activities in high school and college. She cherished time spent with her daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughter. She enjoyed visiting with her sister by phone and watching the birds and flowers in the landscape at the farm. She always smiled when a niece or nephew called her "Aunt Agnes." She also smiled whenever a neighbor stopped to visit. Agnes was preceded in death by her husband, parents, step-mother, grandparents, and three siblings: Joseph Cleary, Edward Cleary Jr, and Mary Cleary Coady. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 8, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albia, with Fr. Michael E. Volkmer, C.PP.S. officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Albia. Visitation will open at 11 a.m., Sunday, September 7, at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with the family present from 3-8 p.m. A scriptural rosary will be led by St. Mary's Altar and Rosary Society and Agnes's family at 4 p.m. and a Christian wake service will be 6 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family

Agnes Cecelia Gergely

May 11, 1924 - August 30, 2014