Mary Ellen Lenagh

SIOUX CITY -- Mary Ellen Lenagh, 81, of Sioux City passed away Monday, Feb. 14, 2011, at a local nursing home.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Friday, February 18, 2011 at St. John Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Greg Hanneman officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel.

Mary Ellen was born Dec. 24, 1929, in Des Moines. She was adopted in June 1930 by Herbert F. and Ella (Miller) Kerl. She attended school in Sioux City and graduated from Central High School midyear 1948. She attended Wayne State College and received her teaching certificate. She taught for one year before her husband-to-be returned from the Korean conflict.

She married E. Richard Lenagh on July 30, 1952. They had two sons, Kevin and Peter.

She was active in the Faculty Wives, Goodwill Auxiliary, St. Luke's Auxiliary and Trinity Lutheran WELCA. She played the piano, violin and loved classical music. She also loved to fish, garden and be out observing nature.

Mary Ellen is survived by her husband, E. Richard of Sioux City; two sons, Kevin (Sandra) Lenagh of Fairdale, N.D., and Peter (Catherine) Lenagh of Golden Valley, Minn.; and two grandchildren, Ellen and Emma Rose of Golden Valley.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. John Lutheran Church or the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA., an organization founded to treat spinal cord and brain injuries.