Celestine "Sally" Rose Lorenz-Devine

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.