Ina Mae Callahan

Ina Mae Callahan was born November 30, 1923, on a farm near Elberon, Iowa, the daughter of William and Mary (Junge) Thiessen. She graduated from 8th grade in 1935, and later was proud to earn her GED in her 60s. Ina Mae married Russell Callahan on April 19, 1941, in Hollywood, CA at the age of 17 after getting permission from her parents since she was under the age of 18.

Ina Mae passed away on Sunday, November 10, at Keystone Care Center at the age of 100. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Russell, her brothers William, Duane, Marvin and LaVoy, and her sister Lavon.

Ina Mae is survived by her children, Diane (Paul) Steinke, David (Linda) Callahan and Don (Reta) Callahan: her grandchildren Kirk, Darrell, Matthew, Shawn, Katie; 8 great-grandchildren, 3 step great-grandchildren, her sister Ruth Suchy, sister-in-law Marlene Thiessen, and Jutta, a German exchange student.

Ina Mae was a homemaker until Don was a teenager. She worked at Younkers and later became a CNA and took classes to become a medication aide at Sunnycrest Care Center in Dysart. Ina Mae worked as a nanny after 8th grade and volunteered in people’s homes with personal and home care. She also volunteered as a service group leader and served many funeral lunches at the Dysart United Methodist Church.

Ina Mae loved to read, drink coffee, crochet, bake (especially kuchen and pies with lard), play cards in a Pepper group, and raise vegetables and flowers in a garden. She also attended many grandchildren and family events. Ina Mae also loved desserts and ice cream; she was even given ice cream at every evening meal at Sunnycrest Care Center. Ina Mae was a woman of many talents, she was able to read, watch tv and crochet all at the same time! She also enjoyed detasseling corn with the grandkids. She made sure they all had lunches and would make supper when they came back home. Ina Mae was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Legion Auxiliary and Dysart United Methodist Church. She will be remembered as a kind lady who never complained and always had a great smile and a kind word to say about others.

Memorials may be directed to the Dysart United Methodist Church

Visitation: Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at Dysart United Methodist Church, 602 Tilford St., Dysart.

Celebration of Life Service: Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 10:30 am, at Dysart United Methodist Church, 602 Tilford St., Dysart. The celebration will be livestreamed.

Burial to follow at Dysart Cemetery.

Luncheon will be served at the church after the burial.