Mary Abbott

MARY ETHELDENE ABBOTT

North English

Mary Etheldene Abbott was born April 28, 1931, near North English, Iowa, the daughter of John G. and Gladys U. (Van Dee Kerkove) Keller. She graduated from North English High School in 1949. Etheldene worked at many restaurants in the North English area, as well as volunteered at the Thrift Shoppe. On Oct. 23, 1954, Mary was united in marriage to John Francis Garringer in North English. To this union they were blessed with seven children. Francis preceded Etheldene in 2001. On Dec. 13, 2003, Etheldene married Thomas Abbott in North English. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Warrens, Wis., before returning to the North English community. Etheldene was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in North English, where she also was a member of the Altar & Rosary Society, and taught Catechism. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, canning, crocheting and caring for others. Etheldene died on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, at the English Valley Care Center in North English, at the age of 87 years.

She is survived by her husband, Tom of North English; five children, Jacki McDermott of Deep River, Lou Garringer of North English, Michael "Chip" (Raygena) Garringer of Williamsburg, Tom (Lisa) Garringer and Gary Garringer, all of Webster; a son-in-law, Micheal (Pam) Douglas Sr. of Van Horne; a daughter-in-law, Patti (Scott) Strickland of Westwood, Kan.; three sisters, Karen Nieto, Doris Keller and Dorothy Keller, all of North Carolina; six brothers, Darrell Keller of Cedar Rapids, John Keller of Phoenix, Gary (Sylvia) Keller and Eldon Keller, all of Vinton, Carroll Keller of Maricopa, Ariz., and Richard (Cindy) Keller of Watkins; six stepchildren, Cheryle, Thomas, Dick, Tim, Julie and Cindy; several sisters-in-law and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren. She was preceded by her parents; first husband, John Francis Garringer; a daughter, Rita Douglas; a son, Lee Garringer; grandchildren, Jayme McDermott and Sarah Douglas; son-in-law, Gary McDermott; sisters, Mary Kay and Marion Keller; and brothers, Kenneth, Glenn, Francis, Robert and Kevin Keller.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in North English. Father David Wilkening will officiate. Burial will be in the Yankee Point Cemetery, rural North English. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Powell Funeral Home in North English. There will be a prayer service at 2 p.m. before the visitation. Memorials may be given to the St. Joseph Catholic Church Bell Tower Fund. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.