Celestine Rose Lorenz-Devine left us for the joy of heaven, Saturday, November
17, 2012. She will be infinitely missed by her friends and loving family.
A Mass of Christian burial for Sally Devine will be held on Wednesday, November
21, 2012, at 10:30 am at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 139 3rd Street SE, in
Britt with Rev. Dennis Miller and Rev. Don Czapla officiating. Burial will be
at St. John's Cemetery in Duncan.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2012, from 5:00 pm until 8:00
pm at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West, in Britt. Catholic
Daughters of the Americas rosary will be said at 7:30 pm. A scriptural wake
service will be held at 8:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to
services at the church.
Sally was born October 15, 1925 on a farm south of Duncan, Iowa. She grew up a
proud Czech Catholic, dedicating her life to God and the Blessed Virgin. Sally
worked on a family farm throughout her lifetime and was much needed during the
absence of her 2 brothers who served in WWII. She graduated with a nursing
degree from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids as part of the Military Medical
Cadet program in 1943. She continued a long career in nursing and health care.
Sally was an independent woman long before it was popular. After serving as a
nurse in Britt, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis, Sally volunteered her services to
the Jesuits Missions where she served for nearly two years as a nurse and
midwife for small villages in British Honduras (Belize) and native Indians of
Eastern Guatemalans in Central America. She delivered more that 30 babies,
helped improve the health care of Honduras, and the people of the undeveloped
region. After returning to the states, she took advantage of her youth to
travel, taking world trips on church pilgrimages to South America and Europe.
Upon returning to Duncan to care for her elderly parents, Sally eventually took
on the position as Director of Nurses at Hancock County Hospital in Britt. It
was there that she was reacquainted with bachelor, Paul Devine, her partner and
husband for 55 years.
Paul and Sally made their home on a farm two miles North of Corwith where they
have resided ever since, continuing to farm to the present. Their home was
blessed with five children after a miscarriage and one stillborn. Sally's faith
and love for the Blessed Virgin Mary proved true when after the birth of their
son, Paul, Sally promised the Blessed Virgin that if she was blessed with a
daughter, she would name her Mary. Soon Paul was joined by sisters Mary
Margaret, Mary Patricia, Mary Ann, and Mary Barbara.
Sally continued to nurse, teach nurses' aide classes, maintain a huge vegetable
garden, bake, cook, and can all their food. Her traditional Czech recipes were
always a favorite. She successfully owned and operated the Corwith Café for
years with the help of her daughters and daughter-in-law.
She worked tirelessly for the pro-life cause and carried a torch for the unborn.
Sally will be immensely missed by her husband, Paul Sr.; son Paul, Jr., (Roxy),
Noah, Bria, Abraham, Eli, and Zachariah; daughter, Mary (Tom) Murphy, Hollie and
Megan; daughter, Tricia, (Curt) Witt, Desi and Ally; daughter, Anny (Steve),
Anabel; daughter, Barbara (lovingly known as Auntie Barbie to all of Sally's
grandchildren); sister Trudy (Eugene) Burns along with numerous nieces, nephews,
other family members and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Antoinette Lorenz; brothers
John (Ruth) and Norbert (Anne) Lorenz; sisters Rita Lass and Irene Jackson; and
her infant son Joseph.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the
National Right to Life or Birth Right.