July 25, 1943 — Aug. 10, 2018
ALGONA — Carol Flaherty, age 75 of Algona, passed away Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at the Muse Norris Hospice Home in Mason City. Mass of the Christian Burial was held on Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona with Rev. Ed Girres celebrating. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Algona. Visitation was held on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, from 3-6 p.m., with a Scripture Service at 6 p.m., at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona. www.lentzfuneralhome.com
Carol was born July 25, 1943, in Storm Lake, to Bernard and Ruth (Langenwalter) Wirkus. She was educated in Varina and Truesdale schools, graduating from Rembrandt in 1960. She graduated from American School of Cosmetology in Des Moines in 1961 and was employed at Deraphine’s Salon in Fort Dodge until her marriage to Garry Flaherty on April 28, 1962, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pocahontas. To this union three children were born; Jeff, Nancy and Erin. They farmed in the Rolfe area until moving to St. Joe – Bode in 1972. While there, she cooked for the priests and helped Garry at the school. In 1980, the family moved to Algona where Carol worked for St. Cecelia Church and Seton School for 24 years. She also spent 27 years volunteering at the Bishop Garrigan concession stands for volleyball, basketball and football. Carol served her parish as Eucharistic minister for over 25 years. She was a past member of the BGHS music board, the Kossuth County Extension Council, Southern Kossuth County Right to Life and sang in St. Cecelia’s Choir for many years. She received the Governor’s Award for Volunteerism from Gov. Terry Branstad in 1990.
Carol enjoyed many good friends in every community she lived. She enjoyed making greeting cards, crocheting, fishing and music, whether it is Mozart or Meatloaf. She and Garry attended many concerts over the years; her favorite being Elvis Presley. Carol’s greatest love was her family, especially her grandchildren. She attended as many of their activities as possible.
Carol is survived by her husband Garry of 56 years, and their children; Jeff Flaherty of Albertville, Minn.; Nancy Foertsch Brennenman (Terry) of Ruthven; and Erin Thilges of Algona; grandchildren: Adam Flaherty (Carisa); Mackenzie Flaherty Huber (Brent); Craig Flaherty; Sadie Foertsch-Greenwald (Tim); Nicholas Foertsch; Charlie Thilges and Caitlin Thilges; two step-grandchildren, Joelle Brenneman Trieschmann (Brian) and Jill Brenneman Loria (Jeremy); great-grandchildren: Liam Huber; Cole Huber; June Flaherty and Mavis Flaherty; two step-great-grandchildren; Madeline and Mason Loria; in-laws, Ray and Linda Rouse and Joe and Diane Condon; Jim and Shiela Roche; Denny and Jan Flaherty; Duane Flaherty; Darrell and Cheryl Bethke; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her were her parents, Bernard and Ruth Wirkus; son in law, Mark Foertsch; her father and mother in law, Walt and Monica Flaherty; brother in law Pat Flaherty and sister in law Marlene Flaherty.