Obituary of Mercedes Catherine Singsank

Survivors include her daughter, Judy (Lloyd) Kennedy of Placid, IA, seven sons: Ronald (Sharon), Jim (Jan), Tim (Joyce) and Mark (Shirley) all of Dyersville, David (Cindy) and Dennis (Diane) both of Ann Arbor, MI and Tom (Barb) of Minnetonka, MN, 16 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, a sister, Catherine Griffin, 4 brothers: Gerald, Delbert (Marge), Ray (Gen), Don (Darlene); 5 sisters-in-law: Eileen Olberding and Eileen Dingbaum, both of Dyersville, Mae (Alphonse) Pasker of Manchester, Delores Hirtz of Cascade, IA and Jane Singsank of Dubuque, IA; 3 brothers-in-law: Joe Schlichte of Dyersville, IA, Irvin (Virgie) Singsank and Gerald (Helen) Singsank both of Luxemburg. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gilbert in 2006, one sister: Germaine Schlichte; a brother, Robert Olberding, 2 sisters-in-law, Erma Olberding and Marcella Steffen, and 4 brothers-in-law: James Griffin, Dr. Clarence Singsank, Harold Steffen and Ray Hirtz. Mert was born on November 22, 1921, on the Olberding family farm near Dyersville, Iowa. She was the daughter of Frank and Cecelia (Meis) Olberding. She married Gilbert "Gib" Singsank on May 29, 1945, at St. Francis Xavier Church in Dyersville, Iowa. The joy of that union was blessed with the happiness of eight children. Over the years Mert was involved in a number of activities: Along with her love of tending her beautiful flower beds and garden, she was also very active in St. Isadore Study Club, the Catholic Daughters of America (CD of A), and as a host maker and church cleaner at the Basilica, volunteer quilter and bingo volunteer at Oak Crest Manor. Mert looked forward to visits from her family and friends. She always had coffee ready and made sure no one left the house without something to eat, especially dessert. Mert loved to bake, play cards and spoil the grandchildren. She was a very faith filled woman and always had a candle burning in front of the Blessed Virgin Mary praying for others. Mert was a devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. She will be dearly missed by all. Memorials will be given to Oak Crest Manor. The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Oak Crest Manor for their loving care and concern for our mom. Also thanks to Hospice of Dubuque. Friends and family may call from 2 - 9 p.m. Thursday, March 5, 2009, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a parish scripture service will be held at 2 p.m. and a Catholic Daughters of America Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m.