Mary Ellen Chihak, age 94, passed away on February 4, 2008 at Colonial Manor, Elma, Iowa.
Mary Ellen was born August 22, 1913, the fifth of thirteen children born to Martin and Bessie Birmingham. She attended schools in Lourdes and Elma.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 8, 2008 at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Lourdes, with burial in the Church Cemetery in Lourdes, IA. Visitation will be held at the Church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Mary Ellen was united in marriage to Charles M. Chihak on June 20, 1933. They were the parents of five children. Together they owned and operated the Lourdes General Store until their retirement in 1969.
Mary Ellen and Charlie played in a band for many wedding and celebrations during the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. Mary Ellen was organist for Our Lady of Lourdes for nearly 40 years. She also taught singing and played piano for programs at the Lourdes parochial school. She was a gifted, self-taught pianist who loved and played many styles of music.
She is survived by her children: Mary Ellen (Frank) Follett of Ocala, FL; Margaret Reicks of Cresco, IA; Rose Marie (Dick) Schroeder of Davenport, IA; Charles J. (Regina) Chihak of LaCrescent, MN; and John A (Judy) Chihak of Hiawathia, IA; thirteen grandchildren; a brother: Alphonse (Christine) Birmingham of Sparks, NV; two sisters: Eleanore Kilcoyne of Clinton, IA; and Cyrilla (John) Haugen of Waterloo, IA. sisters-in-law: Gladys Birmingham, Vincentia Chihak, and Bette Birmingham; many nieces and nephews.
Mary Ellen was preceded indeath by her husband, her parents, six sisters: Sister M. Martin, Mildred Sisul, Dorothy Frantzen, Harriet McGuinnis, Clarice Stewart, and Audrey Conway; three brothers: Martin, Patrick, and Adrian Birmingham.