Anne R. Feeney

Anne Feeney, 99, of Bernard, Iowa died on Monday, August 12, 2019 at Shady Rest Care Center, Cascade, Iowa.

To celebrate Anne’s life, family and friends may visit from 2:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at Leonard Funeral Home, 2595 Rockdale Road, Dubuque, where a prayer service to conclude the visitation at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Michael Hutchins, SVD.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, August 23, 2019 at St. Patrick’s Garryowen Church, Bernard, Iowa, with Rev. Douglas Loecke officiating and Rev. Michael Hutchins, SVD concelebrating. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

Anne Rosalia Molony was born in Bernard, Iowa on November 27, 1919, daughter of Michael and Grace (Cannon) Molony. She was a member of the first graduating class from St. Patrick’s Garryowen High School and received an RN degree from St Joseph Mercy School of Nursing in Dubuque. She worked as a nurse at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa and at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque.

On May 29, 1948, Anne married Gerald W. Feeney at St Patrick’s Garryowen. Anne and Gerald lived and worked in Sioux City, Iowa for a few years before returning to live in Bernard, Iowa.  Anne was a member of St Patrick’s Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters Mothers Club and Mercy School of Nursing Alumni Association.

Anne was well known for baking sinful cinnamon rolls, chocolate chip cookies, and pies. She enjoyed solving crossword puzzles, embroidering countless pillowcases that she freely gave away, and going on adventures to the casino with her good friend, Carmie. She loved living in a small town and enjoyed hearing “the news,” but she never lost interest in the broader world. She could coax tropical orchids and African violets to bloom during Iowa’s coldest winters and her flower garden was beloved by bees, stray cats and all who passed by. She had pockets filled with hard candies, Certs mints, steely grey hair pins and scratch offs. She always had time for the smallest members of her family, and she was never too tired to fix a hair bow or find one more warm cookie for a giddy little boy. Although her hands conquered endless mountains of dishes and peeled tons of potatoes, they never lost their softness or their gentle touch.

Anne is survived by three daughters: Grace (Dan) Mozena of Silver Spring, MD, Sheila Viel of Oconomowoc, WI, Mary (Michael) Wilfer of Monticello, IA and four sons Pat (LoLa) Feeney of Shawnee, KS, Tom (Sandi) Feeney of Colorado Springs, CO, Mike Feeney of Bernard, IA, and Jerry (Janet) Feeney of Dubuque, IA. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren Anne (Tyler Craig) Mozena and Mark Mozena, Erik (Jana), Brian (Shira) and Colleen Viel, Michelle and Matthew (Alaina) Wilfer, Katherine and Jennifer Feeney, Dr. Ben (Jen) Feeney and Dr. Meghan (Matt) Feeney Kloppenburg, and Mallory and Rachel Feeney. Anne loved babies and was overjoyed to have six great-grandchildren join the family Mira Craig, Quinn and Hutch Viel, Isaac Viel, Sloane and Isla Feeney. She looked forward to welcoming many more.

Anne was one of ten children of whom two brothers survive: Dick (Barb) Molony of Bernard and Pat (Elaine) Molony of Peosta. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Bob Feeney of Dubuque and numerous nieces and nephews.

Anne was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald, who died on November 1, 1989 and son, John, who died July 9, 2012. Other family members who predeceased her were her parents, her sisters Fran Anglin, Sister Mary Sheila RSM, Rita Della Valle, Martha Hutchins and her brothers Mike Molony, John Molony, Jimmy Molony and many beloved sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, Anne asked that you designate any memorials to Dubuque Rescue Mission,  Sisters of Mercy, Cedar Rapids, Iowa or Divine Word Seminary.

Anne’s family would like to thank the staff at Shady Rest and River Bend for their tireless care. They treated her with dignity and grace and the family will always be grateful for their compassion. The family would also like to thank Father Loecke for his spiritual guidance, endless patience and especially for the love he showed Anne during her final weeks. His faith and kindness was such a comfort to Anne and all who loved her.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.