McGrath, Ellen Marie

Ellen Marie McGrath, 83, of Independence, died Thursday morning, April 1, 2010, at Buchanan County Health Center following a short illness with cancer. A Funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 6, at St. John's Catholic Church, Independence, with the Rev. Don Plamondon officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence, with a rosary recited at 3 p.m. and parish vigil service held at 7 p.m.

Ellen Marie was born May 19, 1926, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Lewis and Doris (Fitzgerald) McGrath. She attended the Westburg No. 3 Country School and graduated from St. John's Catholic High School, Independence. She attended Clarke College in Dubuque, then joined her family in the livestock business.

She was active in many organizations over the years such as the Democratic Party, Beta Sigma Phi, St. John's Rosary Society and Catholic Daughters of America, and was a member of St. John's Choir.

Surviving are numerous cousins, other relatives and friends.   

Ellen Marie was preceded in death by her parents.

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