Geraldine "Deanie" Mary (Schnieders) McQuillen

Geraldine Mary “Deanie” McQuillen, 88, of Edgewood, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2016, at Cedar Health in Charles City, Iowa.  Geraldine was born on March 14, 1928, in Dyersville, the daughter of Arthur and Marcina (Steger) Schnieders.  She was raised in the area and graduated from St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville.

On September 26, 1949, Geraldine was united in marriage to Donald Joseph McQuillen at St. Francis Basilica in Dyersville.  Seven children were born to this union.  After their marriage they lived and farmed in the Edgewood and Manchester area.

Geraldine was an excellent homemaker and cook, who raised her family and helped on the farm. Later in life, Geraldine worked as a dietary aide at the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home.  She was a wonderful gardener and enjoyed canning her harvest every year.  Geraldine was very devoted to her faith. She was a faithful member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church and loved singing in the choir.  Geraldine enjoyed dancing and playing cards, but spending time with her family was her entire world.

Survivors include her six children, Ann (Richard) Kluesner of Greeley, Sandy (Paul) Sparrow of Zearing, Kevin (Julia) McQuillen of Edgewood, Lynne (Larry) Beeler of Indianola, Lisa (Tom) Walch of Holmen, Wisconsin, and Amy (Rodney) Frascht of Charles City; daughter-in-law, Nancy Hays of Mount Vernon; daughter-in-law, LuAnn McQuillen of Manchester;18 grandchildren, Nicole (Mike) Girling, Vaughn (Shannon) McQuillen, Marcia (Matt) Glanz, Mitchell (Lisa) McQuillen, Laurie (Jason) Wiskus, Kelly (Jeremy) Gustafson, Craig Kluesner, Jamie (Kim) Sparrow, Mark (Andrea) Sparrow, Timothy (Brittany) Sparrow, Kyle Geisler, Keenan (Lindsey) McQuillen, Hannah and Grant Beeler, Michael and  Megan Walch, Blake and Brady Frascht ; 19 great-grandchildren; her twin brother, Gerald (Gladys) Schnieders of Dyersville; and brothers and sisters in-laws, John (Catherine) McQuillen of Marion, Beverly McQuillen, and Doris (Elmer) Manson all of Manchester.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Marcina Schnieders; her husband, Donald McQuillen; one son, Terrence “Terry” McQuillen; one brother, Robert Schnieders; and one granddaughter in infancy, Rachel Frascht.

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