Agnes Hourihan
Agnes Hourihan
October 21, 1913 – July 10, 2011
La Grange Highlands, IL and formerly of Oskaloosa, IA
Visitation: Will begin at 10 a.m., Friday morning, July 15, 2011 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will be present from 4 – 6 p.m. to greet visitors.
Funeral Service: 11 a.m., Saturday morning, July 16, 2011 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Reverend Tom Boomershine of the Central United Methodist Church officiating.
Interment: Forest Cemetery
Agnes died quietly at her home in La Grange Highlands, IL, Sunday, July 10 surrounded by her family. She was 97 years, 8 months and 20 days of age.
Agnes Elizabeth Bates Hourihan was born October 21, 1913 in Gibson, Iowa to Cecil and Bessie Lester Bates. She graduated from Gibson High School where she was a guard on the girl’s basketball team. Upon graduation, she began her career at Gibson Savings Bank. On October 12, 1940, she married Joseph William Hourihan of Oskaloosa. Agnes worked for Blakesley Drug in Oskaloosa until World War II, when she and Joe traveled to Hawaii to assist in the war effort. During that period, Agnes was employed by the U.S. Air Force Accounting Department at Hickam Field in Honolulu. After returning to Oskaloosa, she worked with Hourihan Construction, Mahaska Bank, Alsop’s, and The Oskaloosa Public Schools. She was also involved in various community organizations including P.T.A., The Central Methodist Church youth programs, Business and Professional Women’s Association, and King’s Daughters.
In 1999, Agnes moved to the Chicago area to be near her daughter and grandchildren. Although she missed her family and friends, she developed new interests including the ballet, soccer, and lacrosse. She loved being able to watch her granddaughter perform in The Nutcracker; attending club and high school soccer matches of both grandchildren; and she learned about lacrosse from her grandson’s club and high schools games. She became a fan of the Chicago Fire and Chicago Bulls, and thoroughly enjoyed being close to Illinois politics.
Agnes was preceded in death by her husband, grandparents Joseph Lester and Sarah (Gilmore) Lester; her parents, and brothers: Eugene Bates of Evansdale, Ned Bates of Sigourney, Tom Bates of Sigourney, and Gerald Bates of Montezuma; sisters: Marlene Bates of Deep River, Dorothy Bates of Deep River, Margaret Tarvin of Grinnell and Charlene Bates of Montezuma. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Hourihan-Steil of Oakbrook Terrace, IL; her grandchildren Emily Steil of Oakbrook Terrace and Andrew Steil of Chicago; her brothers: Ronald (Evelyn) Bates of Montezuma, Donald (Elaine) Bates of Keswick, John (Joetta) Bates of Montezuma, Paul Bates of What Cheer, Merle (Jean) Bates of Fort Worth, TX; her sister Verla Tish of Gibson; along with many nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to MHP Hospice Services Serenity House.
Source: GVL Funeral Chapel
