Catherine Anne (Callahan) Kehrli

Catherine Anne Kehrli, 83, of Ryan, Iowa, passed away at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester on Wednesday, April 5, 2017. She was born on November 2, 1933, in Masonville, Iowa, the daughter of Lyman Patrick and Grace Helena (McMahon) Callahan. “Anne” graduated from Manchester High School in 1951 and the Mercy School of Nursing in Dubuque in 1954.

On August 30, 1954, Anne was united in marriage to Marcus Eugene Kehrli Sr. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Manchester. Eleven children were born to this union. In 1962, the couple moved to Ryan, where they farmed and later purchased Ann Mar Tap in 1973, operating it for 23 years. Anne also worked as a registered nurse in Waterloo, Manchester, Independence, and Cedar Rapids before retiring in 1998.

Anne was an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ryan. She enjoyed cards, puzzles, and especially spending time with her family. Anne had the honor of being crowned Manchester Centennial Queen in 1950.

Survivors include her 11 children, Dr. Marcus E. (Carolyn) Kehrli Jr. of Ames, Linda (Tracy) Bessey of Manchester, Lisa (Jeff) Henderson of Cedar Rapids, Lorraine (Richard) Gaffney of Ryan, Mary Lou (Mark) Gaffney of Winthrop, Monica (Cherie) Kehrli of Ryan, Sharon (Paul Suedkamp) Mere of Hiawatha, Ruth (Ben) Dugan of Cedar Rapids, Shawn (Robin) Kehrli of Ryan, Amy (Jeff) Mesch of Cedar Rapids, and Angie (Tim) Casey of Ryan; 30 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren, with two on the way; and two sisters-in-law, Dolores Callahan of Clinton and Rose Marie Kehrli of Manchester.

Anne was preceded in death by her husband, Marcus E. Kehrli Sr., on May 20, 1990; her parents; a son-in-law, Bart Mere; two grandchildren, Monica Gaffney and Nathaniel Henderson; a great-grandson, Phillip Gaffney; a sister, Mary Harris; and four brothers, Leon Callahan, Charles Callahan, John Callahan, and one in infancy.

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