Obituary of Irene Tobin

Survivors include two daughters, Elaine (Dave) Hunt of Dubuque and Jayne (Dave) Douglas of Waterford, CT; one son, William (Joan) Tobin of Plymouth, MN; ten grandchildren, Kim (Jimmy) Reid; Sue (Paul) Pfohl; Jason (Beth) Hunt; Tara, Mike, Torrey and Matt Tobin; Chris, Kate and Connor Douglas; five great-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren; one sister, Marie (Francis) McDermott of Dubuque, IA; one sister-in-law, Eleanor Tobin of Cascade, IA; one brother-in-law, Lawrence Healy of Farley, IA, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by twin sons (David and Dennis) in infancy; two brothers, Leo and Frank Griffin; and one sister, Florence Healy. Irene was born July 20, 1912 in Farley, Iowa, the daughter of William and Katherine (Scherrman) Griffin. She married Carl J. Tobin on June 28, 1937. He preceded her in death on October 25, 1982. She and Carl owned and operated Tobin's Tavern for 21 years. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and Dyersville Federated Women's Club. She was a Mercy Hospital Auxiliary member, working in the gift shop and coordinating bingo at Oak Crest. She also volunteered at the Basilica making hosts. The missions also benefited from her sewing ability as she made shorts and blankets for them. She had many talents, which included writing poetry and she recently wrote a "journal of her life." She always put others first and was always willing to lend a "helping hand." She was a beloved mother and devoted grandmother and great-grandmother. She was truly a remarkable woman! In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Francis Xavier Basilica and school and Beckman High School.