Obituary of Eleanor Marie Secrest

Eleanor Marie Secrest, 104, of Downey, died Thursday, July 23, 2015 at the Pioneer Park Care Center in Lone Tree, Iowa. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am Monday, July 27, 2015, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa City, with burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. There will be an hour of visitation at the church prior to the service. Memorial donations can be made in her memory to St. Mary's Catholic Church. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Eleanor Marie Zenisek was born April 7, 1911, in rural Johnson County, the daughter of Joseph and Agnes Zenisek. She was the oldest of six children, and has lived her entire life in rural Johnson and Cedar Counties. She began a long teaching career in one-room schools, completing her classroom work in the Muscatine Community Schools. Eleanor was married to William Secrest on June 6, 1940. They spent all their married life on the family farm located near Downey. She was a longtime, faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa City; Downey Sew & Go Club; Wapsi Valley Grange, and a University of Iowa Alumni. Her family includes her daughter, Patricia Secrest of Lone Tree; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, William; son, William Joseph; and granddaughter, Erin. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Eleanor's family and her services.