Rosemary Lea Toohey

Rosemary Lea Toohey, age 82, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Tuesday, November 16, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana after a short illness. Rosemary was born on March 17, 1928, in Schaller, Iowa to Claude Whitcanack and Velma (Woods) Whitcanack. She was a long time parishioner at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Rosemary attended Buena Vista College and obtained her teaching certification in 1949. On October 21, 1950, she was united in marriage to William Francis Toohey at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. Bill preceded her in death on August 8, 2010. Rosemary was a homemaker who took pride in raising 8 children. She also worked as a teacher in Lytton, Fonda, and Storm Lake, Iowa. Rosemary and Bill were very involved in the Cursillo Movement of the Catholic Church. She also teamed with Bill to teach English to their friends in the Mexican and Sudanese communities, and Catechism to Catholic students in Schaller. She was an artist who loved to draw portraits and paint nature scenes, study art, and was a dedicated member of the Storm Lake Art Club for several decades. She enjoyed traveling with Bill and visiting their eight children and their families. One of her favorite traditions was hosting Easter Sunrise breakfasts on the Toohey farm for friends and family. Rosemary is survived by eight children, as well as 27 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Rosemary's family is as follows: Son Bill (Mary) Toohey of Independence, IA, and their children Colleen, Tim, and Meghann and grandchildren Katelin and Josh; Son Tim Toohey of Austin, TX, and his children Paul, Mark, Sean, and Amanda and grandchild Zayden; Daughter Cathleen (Tony) Lehmann of Dubuque, IA, and their children Sarah, Michael, John, and Anne; Daughter Maureen (Kelly) Stone of Indianola, IA, and their children Meggan, Phillip, Elizabeth, Mary, and Virginia and grandchildren Joseph and Jacob; Daughter Ann (Jeff) Selleck of Baton Rouge, LA, and their children Maria, Julia, and James; Son Thomas (Susie) Toohey of North Branch, MN, and their children Laurin, Thomas, Erin, and Patrick; Son Jim Toohey of Chugiak, AK, and his children Hannah and Bill; and Son Joseph (Jennifer) Toohey of Marine on St. Croix, MN, and their children Zach and Liam. She is also survived by her sister, Cristine Martin, of Marshall, Mo., and many nieces and nephews.

Rosemary Lea Toohey

March 17, 1928 - November 16, 2010