Gwen Rita Derr

Gwen R. Derr, 86, of Oelwein, Iowa died on Sunday afternoon, February 7, 2016 at Oelwein Health Care Center in Oelwein.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 A.M. Friday, February 12, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oelwein with Rev. Paul C. McManus officiating.
Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday and from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. on Friday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein.
C.D.A. Rosary: 4:30 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home.
Parish Scripture Service: 7:00 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home.
Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein, Iowa.
A Memorial Fund has been established.
Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Gwen Rita Avery was born on August 28, 1929 in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Cliff Edward & Mary Leona "Dolly" (Weis) Avery. She moved with her family to Oelwein in 1945 and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in the Class of 1947. Gwen continued her education by receiving nursing training at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Dubuque. She worked at Mercy Hospital in Oelwein until the time of her marriage. Gwen was united in marriage to Calvin Charles Derr on April 17, 1950 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein. Gwen was a homemaker, raising her six children and working with Cal on the farm. After farming in the Arlington area for 35 years, they moved to Oelwein in 1990. Gwen was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters of the Americans Court St. Rita #321, the Merry Tuesday Neighborhood Club and the Farm Bureau. She was previously a 4-H leader and a Mercy Hospital Auxiliary volunteer for many years. Gwen received the Governor of Iowa Volunteer Award in 2000 for her work with the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). She enjoyed gardening, traveling, card clubs, reading, cooking, baking, sewing, knitting and spending time with her family.

Gwen is survived by her 5 Children: Mary Ellen Day of Postville,
Nancy (Gary) Goedken of Arlington,
James (Beth) Derr of Dyersville,
Edward (Sarah) Derr of Springfield, Missouri,
Jennifer (Troy) Brandt of Fort Dodge;
Daughter-in-law: Shirley Derr of Maynard;
17 Grandchildren;
14 Great Grandchildren;
Brother: Cliff Duane Avery of Oelwein;
2 Sisters: Audrey Thompson of Chicago, Illinois &
Phoebe Ann "Dolly" Vargason of Oelwein and
Many Nieces & Nephews.

Gwen was preceded in death by her parents, husband; Cal on November 29, 1993, son: Richard on November 24, 2014, son-in-law: David Day, sisters-in-law: Carol Avery and Jan Pirillo and a brother-in-law: Richard Vargason.