Mary Agnew

Mary G. (O'Rourke) Agnew was born on July 30, 1919 in the Armah vicinity, Dayton Township, Iowa County, Iowa. The daughter of John S. and Charlotte (Wagner) O'Rourke. She graduated from Keswick High School in 1937, and from Ottumwa Heights College where she received her teaching certificate. She taught country school in Keokuk and Iowa Counties for six years. Mary was united in marriage to Harry Donald Agnew on December 28, 1942 at the Armah Church near Millersburg. Together they lived on the Agnew Century Farm, and raised eight children. She was a homemaker and bookkeeper for Agnew Family Farm, Inc. Mary was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williamsburg, and a former member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in North English. She was also a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, charter member of the Iowa County Genealogy Society, the Iowa County Historical Society and an active member of the Democratic Party. Mary enjoyed bowling, watching Iowa Hawkeye Basketball and was an active supporter of the Deep River/Millersburg School. Mary passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 after a long illness at the Highland Ridge Care Center at the age of 97 years.
She is survived by six children: Suzanne Featherston (Will) of Brownwood, TX; Barbara Agnew (Fiancé Bob Greenwell) of Phoenix, AZ; Rose Agnew of St. Paul, MN; Margaret Agnew-O'Rourke (Tom) of Earlham; Kay Agnew (John Wiese) of Urbandale, and Edward Agnew (Julie) of Williamsburg; son-in-law: Lou Pingel of Adel; daughter-in-law: Susan Agnew of Massena; 26 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harry, daughter Charlotte Pingel, son John Agnew, two grandchildren: Matthew Agnew and Katelyn O'Rourke, and nine siblings: Tom, Theodore, Agnes, Joseph, Catherine, Leo, Mike, Gene and Charlotte.
Funeral Mass will be 10:30 on Monday July 10, 2017 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williamsburg. Burial will be at the Armah Cemetery near Millersburg. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held Sunday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Iowa County Food Bank of Williamsburg or the Armah Cemetery Association. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.