RoseMary Deegan, 97, of rural Maurice, Iowa passed away on Monday, December 1, 2014 at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at All Saint’s Catholic Parish - St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 5, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The family will be present to greet friends from 4-8 p.m. with a Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to Mass on Saturday.

RoseMary was born on October 13, 1917 to Henry and Mayme (Franklin) Groetken of Struble, Iowa. She resided in Plymouth County her entire life. On May 20, 1939, she married John F. Deegan II in Spirit Lake, IA. RoseMary and John raised 12 children on the farm they built near Struble, IA. Livestock and grain were the foundation of their farm. They were involved in the development of the REA and NIPCO until John’s death in 1960.

At age 43, the health and welfare of their 12 children became the sole responsibility of RoseMary. The spiritual support of the Catholic Church and Monsignor Behrens helped the family through these difficult times. Despite the many challenges, RoseMary maintained ownership and operations of the family farm. She soon realized the value of the statement, “One day at a time” – which became her words to live by. Shortly after the passing of her husband, RoseMary was honored with being crowned “Queen for a Day” on national television --a blessing that helped lift the family through difficult times.

RoseMary's commitment and love of education was a constant influence on all who knew her. At age 47, she received degrees in Education and History from Westmar College in Le Mars, IA.

RoseMary was a devout Catholic and a faithful lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Church in Struble, IA and St. Joseph’s Church in Le Mars, IA.

At 95, she co-authored a book sharing her life story titled, “The Good Life.”

Grateful to have shared her life are her ten children, Dianne (Tom) Laughton of Le Mars, IA, Donna (Nick) McDougall of Olathe, KS, Lynne (Denny) McDougall of Parkville, MO, Pat (Nelson Nave) Hirsch of Kalamazoo, MI, John Deegan III of Canyon Lake, CA, Jerry (Pat) Deegan of Clive, IA, Joyce (Mike) Hoback of Issaquah, WA, Colleen (Jim) Deegan-Price of Bowie, MD, Tom (Kathrina) Deegan of Sonoma, CA and Maureen (Bill) Fowler of Lincoln, NE; 32 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, John F. Deegan II on June 22, 1960; her two youngest sons, Larry and Mike Deegan; sisters, Edna Groetken and Mary Alice (Bill) Wiley; brothers, Edward ( Sharon) Groetken, Phil ( Mildred) Groetken, and Henry Groetken.

Memorials may be directed to Gehlen Catholic Schools or Orange City Home Health Care and Hospice.

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