Iona Farley

Iona C. Farley, 87, of Waukon, IA died on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Father Daniel Knipper officiating. Burial will be held in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Family and friends may greet the family from 9:00 AM until time of services at the church. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Iona Farley Family, P.O. Box 11, Waukon, IA 52172.

Iona Corrinne Farley was born on May 18, 1937, in Decorah, IA, to Joseph and Cora (Landmeyer) Tangen. She attended Decorah schools and graduated from Decorah High School. She met the love of her life William "Bill" Farley while working at Darling Drug Store in Decorah and they spent many nights dancing at Matter's Ballroom. On July 2, l958, they were married at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah. Iona's greatest happiness in life was taking care of her family and being a wife, mom, grandma, and great-grandma.

Iona had a passion for crafts and decorating. She took pride in having her home represent each season and holiday with many of her own creations. Iona stayed active happily attending her children and grandchildren's numerous sports and activities. She greatly enjoyed coffee time with her friends at Hardee's. Iona worked as a cook at Veterans Memorial Hospital for 34 years and was also a volunteer grandma for the Allamakee Community School District.

Iona is survived by her children: Gary (Dawn) Farley of Waukon, Cheryl (Hans) Reisgies of San Jose, CA, Mark (Lori) Farley of Cedar Falls, IA, Greg Farley (Deb Husted) of Lawrence, KS, and Larry (Robin) Farley of Denver, IA; brother-in-law Paul (Mary) Farley of Waukon; sister-in-law Gwen Tangen of Albuquerque, NM; 14 grandchildren: Matthew (Heidi) Farley of Tiffin, IA, Nicholas (Ashley) Farley of Eagan, MN, Tyson (Veronica) Farley of Bankston, IA, Betsy Engrav of Waukon, Jake (Katy) Farley of North Liberty, IA, Jamie (Brett) Ahlgren of LeClaire, IA, Jared (Laura) Farley of North Liberty, Kaleb Farley of Lawrence, KS, Kara Farley (Dalton Woodruff) of St. Joseph, MO, Danielle Husted and Kassidy Husted, both of Lawrence, KS, Brianna Farley of Winona, MN, Luke Farley of Lincoln, NE, and Brock Farley of Denver, IA; 20 great-grandchildren: Matti and Mason Farley, Jaxon and Jace Farley, Asher, Maryn, and Charlotte Iona (namesake) Farley, Brayden, Brecken, Brantley, and Briar Engrav, Brooks and Baker Farley, Casen and Parker Ahlgren, Jack and Maya Farley, and Addelyn, Serenity and Kailan Farley. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Iona was preceded in death by her husband Bill in 1991; her parents; her older brother Junior "J.C." Tangen; twin sister Iola Erickson; brother in-law Ben Erickson; father and mother in-law Charles and Catherine Farley; sister and brother in-law Lorraine and Edward Lueken; and grandson in-law "her buddy" Jeremy Engrav.

Casketbearers are her grandsons: Matt, Nick, Tyson, Jake, Jared, Kal, Luke, and Brock Farley. Honorary casketbearers are her granddaughters: Betsy Engrav, Jamie Ahlgren, and Kara and Brianna Farley.