Anne Marie (McColley) Earleywine, age 81, passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at Burgess Memorial Hospital in Onawa, Iowa. Anne was born in Little Sioux, Iowa on February 16, 1934 to Howard and Cecilia (Fitzpatrick) McColley. She was raised in Little Sioux and graduated from Little Sioux High School in 1951. On January 10, 1953, Anne married the U.S. Marine Corp love of her life, Charles Earleywine. To this union, five children were born; Sue Anne, Charles, Elaine, Michael, and Rodney. The couple lived all their married life in Little Sioux, the town of both their childhoods. Chuck died in 2007, but Anne remained in the town she loved until June 2013 when she relocated to Pleasant View Assisted Living in Whiting, Iowa due to failing health. Through the years, Anne worked in various part-time jobs while raising her family; her favorite job was picking apples in the fall at Worth Fruit Farm. After her children were raised, Anne worked fulltime for Bunge Grain in Council Bluffs as a receptionist and grain accounting for 20+ years. After retirement she began writing a weekly column for the Missouri Valley Times titled Lines from Little Sioux, a part-history, part-nostalgic reflection about living life in Harrison County and small-town Iowa. She loved writing the article, and enjoyed hearing from readers all over the country. Her last column was just 7 weeks before her passing and the topic was the annual Little Sioux Homecoming a milestone, indeed. Anne was a true testament to living life to the fullest. She had many interests, including sports especially wrestling. She attended every Iowa High School State Wrestling Championship in Des Moines between 1970-2013 (except the year her son, Chuck passed away). She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary (this year being her 60th year), and served as Chairperson of the Little Sioux Homecoming Association for many years. The thing that gave Anne the greatest joy was spending time with her family, and she treasured every moment. She particularly enjoyed going to her childrens Okoboji homes where she could be surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Anne was a devout Catholic who always had her rosary beads nearby. She was also very proud of her Irish heritage, and she fulfilled a lifelong dream when she and her husband, Chuck were able to go to Ireland to visit her ancestral home. Anne was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles in 2007; daughter, Sue Anne in 2007; and son, Charles in 2010. Survivors include her daughter, Elaine Green and husband Bruce of Primghar, Iowa; son, Mike Earleywine and wife Debbie of Omaha, Nebraska; son, Rodney Earleywine and wife Molly of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Debbie Earleywine of Missouri Valley, Iowa; twelve grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; sister, Nancy Neesen and husband Jack of Grand Island, Florida; sister, Sarah Muell and husband Jim of Sunrise Beach, Missouri; numerous nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends. A Wake service will be held on Friday, October 23rd at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Missouri Valley, Iowa at 6:00 p.m. with family visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass at St. Patricks Catholic Church will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24th. The family invites you to a luncheon at Neely Hall in Little Sioux following the committal service. In Loving Memory Of Anne Earleywine Born February 16, 1934 Little Sioux, Iowa Entered Into Rest October 20, 2015 Onawa, Iowa Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 24, 2015 St. Patricks Catholic Church Missouri Valley, Iowa Celebrant Father Raphael Masabakhwa Organist Lyle Waterhouse Music Selections Well Meet Again Little Bit of Heaven Clair de Lune Casket Bearers Marty Carritt Danny Carritt Scott Clark Jim Burbridge Dave Mathison Rod Foutch Final Resting Place Little Sioux Cemetery Little Sioux, Iowa Afterglow by Helen Lowrie Marshall Id like the memory of me To be a happy one. Id like to leave an afterglow Of smiles when life is done. Id like to leave an echo Whispering softly down the ways, Of happy times and laughing times And bright and sunny days. Id like the tears of those who grieve, To dry before the sun Of happy memories that I leave Behind when day is done. Celebration of Life Anne Marie Earleywine
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