Janet C. Flaherty

janet flaherty
Janet Carol Flaherty, 62, of Lourdes, Iowa, died suddenly on April 7, 2011 at her home in Lourdes. Janet was born on July 10, 1948, in Elma, Iowa, the daughter of Nicholas and Lidwina Elizabeth (Busch) Zeimetz. She was baptized on July 18, 1948, received her First Holy Communion on October 30, 1955, and was confirmed on February 8, 1959 all at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Elma. She graduated in 1966 from Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Elma, Iowa. She was united in marriage to Robert Joseph Flaherty on May 24, 1969 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Lourdes, Iowa. After their marriage, Janet and Bob lived in the Cedar Rapids area until they returned to the Elma area in 1974. In 1977, they moved to Lourdes where they continued to raise their children: Don, Nancy, Becky and Amy. Janet worked at Elma Elementary for more than 30 years as the head cook. She loved seeing the children every day. She took great pride in making sure the students were well fed and enjoyed listening to their stories. Janet retired from Elma Elementary in May of 2008. After retirement, her love of children continued through her work at the Elma Day Care. She was a faithful member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church where she served on various committees and was a former President of Our Lady of Lourdes Rosary Society. Family was very important to Janet; especially her nine grandchildren. She had unbelievable patience and would spend countless hours playing with them. Softball at the Lourdes ball park was a special treat and her grandchildren could always count on baking in the kitchen with Grandma. Each spring, “Grandma’s garden,” with her large pumpkin patch, was a highlight for the grandchildren. Janet enjoyed trips to the casinos, camping, family vacations and traveling with her best friend/husband Bob. Janet is survived by her loving husband, Bob of Lourdes, Iowa; her son, Don (Shannon) Flaherty of Plainview, Minnesota; three daughters, Nancy (Dave) Heinzelman of Rochester, Minnesota, Becky (Darren) O’Donnell of Readlyn, Iowa, and Amy Flaherty of Rochester, Minnesota. Nine grandchildren; Taylor and Austin Flaherty; Kym, Madelyn, Abigail Heinzelman; Cameron, Colin, Casey, and Claire O’Donnell; her brothers and sisters: Roger (Angie) Zeimetz of Spring Valley, Minnesota, Cathy (Jim) Nosbisch of Stewartville, Minnesota, Marilyn (Kenny) Kiernan of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, LouAnn (John) Huegel of Charles City, Iowa, Susie (Jerry) Marr of Spring Valley, Minnesota, Zip (Linda) Zeimetz of Elma, Iowa, Marie (Denny) Smith of Lourdes, Iowa, Mike (Rosie) Zeimetz of Elma, Iowa, Tina (Dale) Roethler of Alta Vista, Iowa, Barb (Pat) Smith of Lourdes, Iowa, Mary Jo Friedrich of Elma, Iowa, Nick (Teresa) Zeimetz of Elma, Iowa, and Larry Zeimetz of Denver, Colorado, sister-in-law, Mary Zeimetz from Rochester, Minnesota, brother-in-law, Franny (Carol) Smith. She is also survived by Bob’s family; Lorraine (Ed) Polansky of Spillville, Iowa, Catherine (Ron) Hageman of Calmar, Iowa, Tom (Kay) Flaherty of Lourdes, Iowa, and brother-in-law Mike Poshusta. Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Nicholas and Lidwina Zeimetz, two brothers, Virgil Zeimetz and Thomas Zeimetz, one sister, Linda Smith, one brother-in-law, Lonnie Friedrich, one sister-in-law, Dorothy Poshusta, mother and father-in-law, Mildred and John Flaherty. Memorials: Memorials may be directed to the family. Cemetery: Burial will be held in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery. Visitation: Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 10, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma, Iowa where there will be 4:30 p.m. rosary and 6:30 p.m. scripture service. Online condolences may be left at www.kaisercorson.com or www.conway-kolbetfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly along with Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma. Service: Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Lourdes, Iowa.

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  1. I would like to express our very deepest sympathy to all…Janet was great to our kids and all the kids that went through the Elma school. I can hear her giggle and see her smile as I think of the many conversations we had in her (school) kitchen. We will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.

  2. Our deepest sympathies go to the Flaherty and Zeinmetz families at this difficult time. Janet will be deeply missed. I used to drive bus to the Elma school.We will keep her in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Tim and Cindy Howland Protivin, Iowa

  3. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Janet’s family. We are very saddened by the loss of such a wonderful, caring, loving person. She will be deeply missed. Our prayers are with all of you.

  4. Robert and Family, So sorry to hear the news of Janet. Keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers.

  5. Sorry to hear of the loss of your wife,mother and sister. I’m sure she will be dearly missed. LeRoy & Louise (Heying)Cutsforth

  6. To all of Janet’s family, you are remembered in our prayers at this difficult time. God sustain you all.

  7. To the entire Flaherty and Zeimetz families- my deepest and most sincere condolences to all of you. God bless each and every one of you.

  8. Becky and family,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this hard time.May all your memories of your Mom be your strength that helps you thru. Our deepest sympathy to your father and entire family. Linda & Leon Deutsch

  9. Bob and family:

    I was so sorry to hear about Janets passing. Know that we are thinking of you and your family at this time of sorrow. We will keep you all in our prayers.

    Your friends,

    Helen and Richard Schmidt

  10. Bob and kids, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. The boys are all saddened by the news. Janet was the best lunch lady there ever was or will be. Adam wishes he could come home but with football practice he can’t, so he sends his love from South Dakota. We are thinking of you and send our love. Ron and Sue, Josh, Adam, Seth and Garrett

  11. Bob, Flaherty and Zeimetz families – we were very saddened to hear of Janet’s passing. We are so sorry for the pain that you are feeling right now and hope your faith in God will get you through this difficult time. Know you are being thought of.

  12. Dear Bob, Don, Nancy, Becky and Amy,

    we are so sorry for your great loss! We have just been visiting you after so many years and we can’t believe it.

    All our thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Georg, Thekla & Andreas

  13. I am shocked to hear of Janet passing away. It is very sad she is no longer with us. But she is the lucky one because she is now with God. We will see her again.
    Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
    -Curtis

  14. I felt so bad when I heard about Janet! What a shock for everyone. God bless everyone in their grief!

    Joanne Huegel

  15. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time. May the love and memories you’ve shared with her eventually bring healing to your heartache. God Bless you all.

  16. Sorry for your loss and my prayers go out to all of the family.
    Enjoyed working in the kitchen at school with Janet.

    Mrs. Sharon Gansen

  17. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. She will be truly missed at daycare by Ashton and the other children.

  18. Dear Flaherty’s, I was head cook at Ridgeway Elem when Janet was cooking in Elma and Doreen in Lime Springs. That’s been about 15 years ago now. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Special greetings and a hug to Amy.

  19. I was so sorry to hear of Janet’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with your enitre family.

  20. Our deepest sympathy to the Flaherty and the Zeimetz family. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

  21. Robert and Family,
    So sorry to hear the loss of Janet. My thoughts and prayers are sent out to you for she had left wonderful memories to all of you. She touched so many lives, children as well as adults, and I remember her when I was growing up in the Lourdes area.

  22. Amy and Family, May it be a comfort to you to know your mother is with God, our Lord needed her in Heaven. We are given only what we can handle, Amy, God has so much faith in you and your family.

  23. So sorry to hear of Janet’s passing. As childdhood school mates, roommates, and friend I will miss all our “chats” about all we did together. I have many good memories! I will miss her, Jean

  24. Bob, Don and family, Nancy and family, Becky and family and Amy,

    We were saddened to hear about the sudden loss of Janet. She was a fantastic woman! She was one of the most caring and compassionate people I have known. I do not know if she ever quit smiling!!! I do know this however, her love for her family and patience has carried over into her children!! I have watched you all mature into wonderful and caring adults!! Your wife, mom and grandma loved life and shared it with all of you so you and your families have many memories to share for the years to come! Please know you have our sympathies and are in our thoughts and prayers.

  25. Bob, Don, Nancy, Becky, Amy and Zeimetz family,
    Please except our condolences for your loss. Know her memory will live on in all of the lives she touched. She is now in the presence of her Lord. It seems like I just talked to her.
    Thoughts and prayers from our whole family.
    Richard (Dick), Florene Holten and families.

  26. I am so sorry to hear about Janet. She was also happy when I saw her and I know my folks always appreciated visiting with her. You and your family have my sincere sympathy. My thoughts and prayers our with you during this time. You will have many special memories of her.

    With Sympathy
    Bev Valvoda

  27. Becky and family.
    Your mom was such a gem.! Always so open and honest and loved by so many! That spirit lives in all of you too! There is nothing more difficult than the unexpected…find comfort knowing that she is with you all!…prayers for peace and understanding….
    Brenda

  28. We are so sorry we could not express our sympathies in person but know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Colleen, Jeff, Shay, Sawyer & Stone Peckham

  29. I remember Janet all those years ago working at the school in the kitchen. She was such a sweet and happy lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.


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