Arnold Gallagher

William Arnold Gallagher was born November 23, 1918, the son of William and Theresa McNurtney Gallagher. He died Tuesday, August 31, 2010, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa, at the age of ninety-one.
Arnie was born in Vail, Iowa and was baptized and confirmed at St. Ann Catholic Church in Vail. He received his education in a rural school near his home and St. Anns Catholic High School. After completing his education he helped on the family farm. On June 5, 1939, he was united in marriage to Lucille Keating at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison, Iowa. The couple made their home in Manilla and were blessed with the birth of four children. Arnie worked for Earl Hickey Oil Station. From 1943 until 1955 he worked as foreman for Crawford County road maintenance. In 1958 he went to work for Comstock Sand and Gravel until 1978. He worked for Rasmussen Lumber Company in Manilla. He loved his work as a crane and Caterpillar operator. In the spring and the winter he worked at the Huebner Funeral Home in Denison from 1969 until 1974.
He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. In his leisure tine he enjoyed woodworking and dancing. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manilla where he served as Parish Trustee for thirty years. He was also a member of the Holy Name and the Sacred Heart Choir.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Kenneth in 1966; three brothers, Lloyd, Merle and Leo Gallagher and three sisters, Rita Healy and her husband, Frank; Nelda McSorley and her husband, Jack; Virgean Bandow and her husband, Mac. Survivors include his wife of seventy-one years, Lucille of Manilla; one daughter, Karen and her husband, Bob; two sons, Kasey and his wife, Lorraine and Kevin; eleven grandchildren and twenty-seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Jerry and his wife, Lee; one sister, Sister Michelle; one sister-in-law, Laurie; many other relatives and friends.