Le Mars, IA – Celeste M. Nemmers, 99, of Le Mars, passed away Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 5, 2018 at All Saints Catholic Parish-St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. Father Bruce Lawler will officiate. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2018 with a Rosary at 5:00 and a prayer service at 7:00, all at the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home, Le Mars. Visitation will resume one hour before Mass time at the church on Friday.
Celeste Mary (McGrew) Nemmers was born September 14, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois to John H. and Lila (Murphy) McGrew. She was educated at St. Margaret’s Grade School in Chicago and for High School she attended boarding school at the Immaculate Conception Academy in Davenport, Iowa. She graduated in June, 1935, and that summer started work as a secretary at the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company. She enjoyed her work, did well, and was secretary to the Treasurer of the company when she left to be married.
Celeste married Elmer J. Nemmers on February 18, 1939 in St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in Chicago. They came to Le Mars to make their home. When her children were in school, she was an active supporter of their activities. Celeste’s other activity was playing bridge. She started playing in High School and never lost her enthusiasm for the game. She also was an active member of the Christian Mothers of St. Joseph and Catholic Daughters of the Americas.
She is survived by her children, William of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Charles (Judy), of Columbia, Missouri, Mary (Howard Senn), of Ft Collins, Colorado, Virginia of Des Moines and Louise Nemmers of Saint Paul, Minnesota; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Dorothy Nemmers of Le Mars and Helen McGrew of West Covina, California; nine nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; brother, John (Duke) McGrew; her children, Michael and Lila Ann in infancy and Richard, at age 10; and her grandson Andrew M. Senn.
Memorials in Celeste’s name may be directed to: The University of Minnesota Foundation,
Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgical Program, 2450 Riverside Ave S, East Building, MB544, Minneapolis, MN 55454
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