Hanna, Eileen Mulherin

Eileen Mulherin Hanna, 93, of Mechanicsville, died May 5, 2010, at her home surrounded by her family. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 13, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, by the Rev. Andrew Kelly. Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. Wednesday at Morgan Funeral and Cremation Choices, Mount Vernon Chapel, where the wake service and rosary begin at 7 p.m. Burial: Rose Hill Cemetery, Mechanicsville.

Eileen was born in Fairfax, Iowa, on Feb. 25, 1917, the daughter of John and Mary Agnes (Fox) Mulherin. She attended St. Patrick's School in Fairfax until the 5th grade, when she moved with her family to Cedar County. She graduated from Tipton High School in 1934.

Eileen attended Paris Beauty Academy in Cedar Rapids, working thereafter at Adelaide's Beauty Shop in Iowa City until 1942. In 1942, she moved to St. Louis, Mo., where she worked at the Curtiss-Wright Aviation Co. as a “Rosie the Riveter.” Eileen married John K. Hanna Jr., at Overland, Mo., on Feb. 20, 1943. She and John lived in El Paso, Texas for a short period, returning to the Cedar Rapids area in 1946. In 1947, they moved to a farm south of Morley, where they were engaged in farming. In 1970, Eileen and John moved to Cedar Rapids, then to Marion in 1974. In 2001, they moved to Mechanicsville, where Eileen lived until her death.

Eileen is survived by her children, Sharon Clore (Larry), Tom Hanna (Joan), Mary Dreckman (Patrick), Denise Hanna-Bennett (John), Marty Fall (Randy), Diane Johnson (Mike), and Rick Hanna (Lori). Eileen is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Tracy Best, J.R. Clore, Brodee Hanna, Mary Beth Hanna, Molly Dreckman, Matt Dreckman, Kelsey Bennett, Whitney Bennett Turner, Tim Fall, Tasha Fall Erickson, Lindsay Grassi, Brandon Johnson, Kelley Johnson, Kory Hanna and Mackenzie Hanna. Also surviving Eileen are 11 great-grandchildren, Carson Best, William Turner, Tyler Fall, Zachary Fall, Noah Erickson, Brady Erickson, Mariah Grassi, Isis Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Trinity Johnson and Jeremiah Johnson; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Eileen was preceded in death by her husband, John, who died in 2008; her parents; brothers, John Thomas Mulherin and Charles Mulherin; and sisters, Rita Butler and Margaret Jackson.

Online condolences:

Memorials in Eileen's honor may be donated to Hospice of Mercy, 701 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403, or St. Mary's Catholic Church, 302 W Reeder St., Mechanicsville, IA 52306.