Less, Josephine E.

Josephine E. Less, 95, died Sunday, June 13, 2010 at the Keystone Nursing Care Center, Keystone, where she had been a resident the past 2 1/2 years. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. John Catholic Church, Blairstown, with Father Jack McClure C.PP.S. as Celebrant. Interment will be held at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Blairstown. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Phillips Funeral Home, Blairstown, is in charge of arrangements.

A memorial fund has been established.

Josephine was born Nov. 13, 1914, at Prairieburg, Iowa, to Joseph and Frances (Buchtela) Houser and graduated from Anamosa High School in 1933.

On June 11, 1941, she was united in marriage to Vernon C. Less at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.

Josephine was a member of St. John Catholic Church where she served on the Altar & rosary Society. She enjoyed playing cards, quilting, gardening, and was well known for her famous chocolate chip cookies.

She is survived by her children, Joseph Less of Lone Tree and his special friend, Karen Himmelsbach, Thomas (Nancy) Less of Watkins, JoAnn (Rudy) Emmel of Blacksburg, Va., Mary (Michael) Gallery of Masonville, Richard (Kaye) Less of Van Horne, Barbara (Willard) Wille of Grinnell, Cynthia (Mark) Miller of Van Horne, John (Jeanne) Less of Forsythe, Ill., and Michael (Kerry) Less of Van Horne; 26x grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Helen Lunacek of Camanche and Margaret Wells of Central Point, Ore.; her brother, V. Robert (Rita) Houser of Banning Calif.; and her sisters-in-law, Ida Mae and Lillian Houser, both of Cedar Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Vernon; her daughter-in-law, Patricia Hartsock Less; her brothers, Edward, Ralph and Donald Houser; and her sisters, Mary Houser, Agnes Murray and infant sister, Claire.

Condolences may be left at: