Eugene Gallagher

Eugene Leonard Gallagher was born April 22, 1939, the son of Leonard and Lucille Petersen Gallagher. He died Saturday, October 24, 2009, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa, at the age of seventy.
Gene was born in Carroll, Iowa. He received his education in a rural school near his home and St. Anns Catholic High School in Vail. After receiving his education he farmed and trucked in addition to shelling corn. He also was an insurance adjuster for Grinnell Mutual Insurance Company for many years.
On July 25, 1959, Gene was united in marriage to Shirley Mueggenberg at St. Bernards Catholic Church in Breda. The couple made their home on farms near Carroll and Schleswig before moving to Vail in 1964. They were blessed with the birth of six children.
Gene was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He enjoyed socializing with his friends over a cup of coffee. In his leisure time he enjoyed golfing, playing cards, deer hunting, and bowling. He also enjoyed fishing and camping, especially with his best friend, Bob, in the local area and in Minnesota. He was a devoted member of St. Anns Catholic Church. He served his Lord and his Church as a Eucharistic Minister and as a member of the St. Anns Family Choir, and he was an honorary board member of Vail Heights.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one granddaughter, Amber Renee Pietig; and one brother-in-law, Vernon Mueggenberg. Survivors include his wife, Shirley; three sons: David and his wife, Lisa; Kevin; Jeff and his wife, Jacki; three daughters: Colleen and her husband, Tom; Donna and her husband, Allen; Sandy and her husband, Randy; thirteen grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law: Darlene and her husband, LeRoy; Ione and her husband, Robert; Marge and her husband, Ray; and three brothers-in-law: John and his wife, Leona; Joe; Louis and his wife, Ella; other relatives and many, many friends.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at St. Ann Catholic Church in Vail, Iowa. Fr. Paul Kelly served as Celebrant and Fr. John Thomas as Concelebrant of the Mass with interment at St. Anns Catholic Cemetery in Vail. Organist Irene Feilmeier provided accompaniment for the St. Anns Family Choir. Megan Ludwig served as lector and soloist; Brett Pietig as lector; Emily Ludwig, Rachel Gallagher, Nicole Williams and Jordan Gallagher as gift bearers; Kim Lally and Jessi Drees as servers; and Amanda Pietig as intentions. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Margie Nagl, Robert Christensen, Roger Brodersen, Fenton Lawler, Ted Hawley, Fred Fitzsimmons, LeRoy Brincks, Jim Slechta and John Dieter. Serving as pallbearers were Jeremy Gallagher, Kyle Gallagher, Tyler Williams, Brett Pietig, Andrew Gallagher, Nick Gallagher and Adam Ludwig. Monday services included a Legion of Mary Rosary at 4 p.m. and a Vigil Prayer Service at 7 p.m. offered by Fr. Tim Friedrichsen. The family invited everyone to the Vail Community Building for fellowship and lunch served by the Lidderdale Country Store. The Huebner Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements.