Anna M. Courey

SIOUX CITY -- Anna M. Courey, 86, of Sioux City crossed over to her heavenly home on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at 3:55 p.m. lovingly surrounded by her family at Holy Spirit Retirement Home.

A funeral mass will be held 10:45 a.m. Monday, March 23, 2009 at Holy Spirit Chapel, with a visitation one hour prior with Father Dennis Meinen officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held 3 to 8 p.m. today, with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., with Father Michael Erpelding officiating, at Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel, 822 Jennings St.

I was born on Aug. 16, 1922, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Benedetto and Anna (Pepe) Petrillo. My brother, Jimmy, who was serving in the Merchant Marines, introduced me to Joe Courey, his fellow shipmate. I fell in love with Joe and on July 7, 1942, we were married in Brooklyn, N.Y., at St. John The Evangelist Church. To our union we had two children, Rose Marie born Feb. 3, 1944, and Joe Jr. born Sept. 11, 1945. Joe, my husband of 65 years, preceded me in death on Dec. 15, 2006, in Sioux City. During my life in Sioux City, I worked at Armour and Company for 14 years and also did seamstress work and a lot of dressmaking, suits, and the list goes and on. I also worked for Bellis Hess altering curtains and for The Avantino Hotel Restaurant for several years. In the brief time that I domestically cleaned houses, I made numerous friendships that have lasted through the years. I will be fondly remembered as a culinary cook of American and ethnic foods. I was a member of Immaculate Conception

Catholic Church until moving to the Westside and have been a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. After moving to Holy Spirit Retirement Home in January 2006, I continued to embraced the Catholic faith and enjoyed daily masses and the rosary.

I am survived by my two children, Rose Marie Courey of Canton, Ill., and Joe Courey Jr. of Sioux City; a sister, Viola Downey of Aiktin, Minn; nine grandchildren, Mark Wilson, Little Rose Schultzen, Junior Hutchinson, Daniel Leffler, Kenneth Courey, Michelle Knisley, Dustin Courey, Anthony Courey and Misty Blue Horne; and 12 great-grandchildren, Gary Polk/Leffler, Tanya Leffler, Miguel Angel Alvarado Courey, Amber Courey, Abby Courey, Antony Courey, April Schultzen, Nick Schultzen, Alissa Courey, Jenna Courey, Chelsea Horne and Emy Joe Leffler.

I was preceded in death by my parents; husband, Joe; granddaughter, Bertha Leffler; brothers, Tommy, Patty, Joe and Frank Petrella; a sister, Rose Schneider; and an infant sister, Patricia Petrella.

My pallbearers will be Tony Courey, Dustin Courey, Nick Schultzen, Gary Polk/Leffler, Tanya Leffler and Daniel Leffler. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Courey Jr. and Rose Courey.

She will be deeply missed by all those who life she touched. Her family would like to thank Father Meinen, the Sisters, Director Pat Tomscha, nursing staff, aides and everyone else that provided the excellent quality of life she experienced during her three plus years stay at Holy Spirit. There were so many numerous times that extra care and support was given with so much love, always so much love. My family would like to thank Hospice of Siouxland for their intervention; they on more than one occasion were part of my life and were {M3there for me while I was preparing to cross over.

Memorials may be made in her name to Hospice of Siouxland.

Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com