Eleanor E Monaghan

Eleanor Elizabeth Monaghan was born January 29, 1921 in Danbury, Iowa the daughter of Timothy and Marie Cashman McAleer. At an early age, her family moved to Ryan, Iowa. Eleanor attended school in Ryan, graduating from St. John's High School with the class of 1939.

Eleanor was united in marriage to Patrick Vincent Monaghan on September 17, 1940 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Ryan. They farmed in the Ryan area until moving to the Monti Community in Buchanan County. They purchased their farm northwest of Monti in 1952. Vincent entered into his eternal rest on August 21, 2001. Eleanor continued living on the farm and then moved to Independence in 2002.

Eleanor will be remembered for her love of family, community and her involvement of working with special needs children. She advocated for Buchanan County special needs children in the early 70's for admission to River Hills (Special Needs Education), Cedar Falls, IA. Upon admission, special needs children were transported weekly by Eleanor from Buchanan County to River Hills School. Eleanor started with transporting 4 students in her family car. Demand grew and Buchanan County provided Eleanor with a van. Her devotion to lead special needs children to education prompted Buchanan County to make a bus available to Eleanor to transport more students to River Hills. In addition to transporting students, Eleanor assisted as an aide at the school for many years.

Eleanor entered into her eternal rest on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at the Hospice of Mercy House in Hiawatha, Iowa. She was 95 years of age.

Survivors include her five children: Robert (Sharon) Monaghan of Independence; Jean Ann (Dan) Dolan of Castle Rock, CO; Janet (John) Carroll of Des Moines, Iowa; Judy (Mike) Ferreter of Independence; and Joan Temeyer of LaJolla, CA; fifteen grandchildren; twenty nine great grandchildren; one sister, Loretta Reidy of Cedar Rapids; and one sister-in-law, Mary Knipp of Marshalltown, Iowa.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Vincent, her son Gerald "Jerry", her daughter Jane Ellen Monaghan, two infant children Janice and John, her grandson Stephen, and her brother, Robert McAleer.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, March 14, 2016 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church at Winthrop with Father Donald J. Plamondon officiating. Music provided by Teresa Horak, Kristan Hunter, Brian Crawford and Kathy Wulfekuhle. Lector will be John Carroll. Casketbearers will be grandsons: Rob Monaghan, John Monaghan, Mike Dolan, Matt Dolan, Ben Carroll, and Justin Temeyer. Gift bearers will be granddaughters. Mass servers will great grandchildren: Mason Monaghan , Camille Spencer, and Ava Monaghan.
Interment will take place in St. Patrick's Cemetery at Winthrop following the services.

Friends may call from 2 PM until 5 PM on Sunday, March 13, 2016 at the Fawcett Funeral Home in Winthrop. Online at www.fawcettsfuneralhome.com.