Mary Catherine (Pacha) Adam age 96, passed away peacefully Thursday, January 7, 2021 at home.
Our beloved mother had no remarkable pastimes or hobbies. No favorite music, or art and, although a lifelong reader, no books that she ever mentioned. No other aspirations. She belonged to few clubs and had no memberships in any organizations other than her lifelong devotion to her church, St. Mary’s of Fairfield. So, this obituary will not list any of these things. Only one single word can adequately describe this remarkable woman. And it is all encompassing.
It is the all-inclusive word “mother”.
Her family was, and is, her legacy, her beginning and end, her polar north and morning star. Her family was her life. This could fill volumes of stories during her long life and will continue long after today. Nothing else mattered!
In the later years of her life, she could only estimate the ever-growing number of grand and great grandchildren. This always brought a “Mona Lisa” smile to her. She and our father, married for almost sixty-five years, were a team, always pulling in the exact same direction.
As we recall what we believe was a favorite song and poem though.
“Ave Maria”, the patron saint of all mothers and, “Things We Never Knew We Never Knew”, a remembrance poem about her child bearing and rearing years.”
Mary Catherine is survived by 11 of her 13 children: Maxine of Kirksville, MO – Laura Capps, Christy Frushour and, Dan; Janice (Steve) Durflinger of Batavia – Tony, Scott; Carol (deceased) – Ashley Hancock, Adam; Ed of The Villages, FL, Jennifer Young, Meredith Garcia(deceased) and Catherine Berta; Fred of Asheville, NC – Brent, Benjamin; Nick (Tena) of Batavia – Shawn, Jeff, Nicole Humston; Mary Ann (Joe) Ledger of Fairfield – Sarah Dodds, Emily Ledger; Jane (Ernie) Ragen of Fairfield – Chad, Kevin, Nathan Snyder; Cindy (Martin) Rupe of Batavia – Patrick, Andrew, Christopher; Colleen (Nick) Biggs of Ottumwa – Elizabeth Tigges, Michael and Nicholas Donlin; Barbara (Steve Peck) Adam of Knoxville, Jordan and Brandon Ledger; Tom (Marni) Adam of Fairfield – Jacob, Sidney Barker, Logan. In addition to her 13 children and 32 grandchildren listed here, she was equally proud of her 55 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter in 2007, her son, Steven in 1955, her daughter, Carol in 2017, and granddaughter, Meredith in 2018.
Visitation for family and friends will be held 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Sunday, January 10, 2021, at St Mary Catholic Church.
A Mass with Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 11, 2021, at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father Nick officiating. Following the Mass burial will be at Eldon Cemetery, Eldon, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Mary Catherine’s name or as her mother often said, “Give with warm hands”.
Please follow the COVID guidelines of wearing masks and social distancing.
On-line condolences may be made to the family at behnerfh.com.
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