Ethel Mary Homan

Ethel Mary Homan,age 89, of Remsen, IA passed away Monday, Sept. 16, 2019 surrounded by her children at her home in Remsen, IA.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen, IA with Father William McCarthy officiating and Deacon Rick Roder assisting.  Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen, IA.  Visitation with family present will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday.  There will be a parish rosary and a vigil prayer service at 5 p.m. at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen.  Visitation will resume 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.fischfh.com. 

Ethel was born in Le Mars, Iowa, on November 19, 1929, the fifth of seven children born to Edward and Mary (Langel) Ortmann. She grew up on a farm west of Le Mars and attended St. Joseph’s Grade and High School.  After her graduation she attended St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Sioux City from which she graduated in May of 1950.  She practiced her nursing career for many years at Sacred Heart Hospital in Le Mars, and later as school nurse for the Remsen Union School District.

On October 2, 1951, she was united in marriage to Paul Homan.  They were the parents of six children: the oldest, Rose Ann who died in infancy, Louis, Alice, Michael, Philip, and Angela. 

She furthered her education later by attending Creighton University in Omaha and Westmar College in Le Mars, from which she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in English in May 1967.  She then taught high school English at Remsen Union High School for 26 years, retiring in 1992.  Paul passed away May 4, 2016.

Ethel was a member of St. Mary’s Parish, the Christian Mothers Society, and a former member of the St. Mary’s adult choir. She enjoyed music, reading, playing bridge and golf, crossword puzzles, decorating, entertaining and china painting. She also enjoyed traveling, shopping, and having coffee with friends.

She is survived by her children:  Louie and wife Deb of Remsen, IA, Alice and husband Dave Elliott of Las Vegas, NM, Mick and wife Melissa of Cincinnati, OH, Philip and wife Katie of Medina, MN, and Angie and husband Tom Lalor of Washington, DC. She is survived by 14 grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Other survivors include three sisters:  Joan Thommes of Omaha, NE, Sister Alice and Sister Eleanor of the Sisters of Christian Charity of Wilmette, IL, one brother, Jim and his wife Gretchen of Le Mars, IA.  She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Paul, their daughter Rose Ann, and great granddaughter Josephine Elliott. She was also preceded by her sister, Irene Bueltel and husband Clarence, her brother Cyril and wife Rosie Ortmann, brothers-in-law Gerald and wife Armella Homan, Peter and wife Vivian Homan, Bob and wife Kathleen Homan, Gordon and wife Bertha Homan, and Bill Thommes, and sisters-in-law Elaine Homan, and Marion Frampton and husband Jack.

Casket bearers will include: Chad Homan, Benner Homan, Adeline Lalor, Jeremy Homan, Bill Thommes and Tom Ortmann.