Costello, Elma R.

Elma R. Costello, 74, a resident of Long Grove, Iowa, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2011, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at St. Ann Catholic Church, Long Grove. Burial will be at St. Ann's Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at St. Ann's, where a prayer service will be offered at 7:30 p.m. to conclude the visitation. There will be additional visitation for one hour before the funeral mass. Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home in Davenport is assisting the family with arrangements.

Elma Rose Randolph was born July 5, 1937, in Princeton, Iowa, a daughter of Victor Aaron and Agnes Anne (Hirl) Randolph. She was united in marriage to Francis H. Costello on Jan. 17, 1959, at Our Lady of Lourdes in Bettendorf, Iowa. Elma was a member of St. Ann's Guild and St. Ann's Catholic Church, where she sang in the church choir and was involved with the parish's RCIA and CEW programs.

Elma loved dairy cows, gardening, wrestling, music and the theatre. She was especially devoted to her family. There was always room for one more at her kitchen table.

She had been employed for 27 years in the personnel department at Swiss Valley Farms before her retirement.

Elma is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Francis; their children, Margaret (Jeff) Liske and John (Robin) Costello, both of Long Grove, Bartholomew (Julie) Costello of Durant, Patrick (Corie) Costello of Emporia, Kan.; Timothy (Karen) Costello of Cedar Rapids, Francis (Jackie) Costello of DeWitt, Catherine (Chris) Farwell of Portland, Ore., Leo (Lori) Costello of Dubuque, Michelle (Brent) Arp of New Liberty and Martin L. (Jen) Costello of Long Grove; 32 loving grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Additional survivors include her brother, Lewis F. Randolph of Preston, Iowa; her sisters, Nancy Ehrsam and Myra Kreiter, both of Davenport; sisters-in-law, Margaret Randolph of Anamosa and Joann Randolph of Mechanicsville; and brothers-in-law, Eugene Foley of Everett, Wash., and Bill Jacobs of Davenport.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Anthony Peter Costello on Feb. 16, 1982; a granddaughter, Courtney Costello on Jan. 26, 1991; and her siblings, Margaret Silverio, Aaron Randolph, Delores Jacobs, Madelyn Foley and Jeptha Randolph. May they rest in peace.

Memorials may be made to St. Ann's Catholic Church.

Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Elma's obituary at

Published Oct. 20, 2011, in The Gazette