Funeral Mass for Ethel Marie McCreedy

Ethel Marie (Tegeler) McCreedy, (93) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa died peacefully from complications of dementia on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy with her loving family by her side. Visitation: St. Patrick Catholic Church Cedar Rapids, at 9:30 am, Friday, March 28 followed by Mass at 10:30 am, with the Rev. Dennis Miller officiating.  Burial:  St. Joseph Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Teahen Funeral Home is serving the family.

Ethel is survived by a daughter, Janet (Larry – deceased) Verbick of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and two sons, Douglas (Shauna) of Hebron, Kentucky, and Martin (Shelby) of Atlantic, Iowa; five grandchildren, Andrew, Lexie, Kelsi, Cody, and Taylor; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ethel was preceded in death by her loving husband of 57 years (Darrell Ray McCreedy) who passed away on February 17, 2009; her parents, brothers:  Joseph, Ralph, and Leo; and sisters:  Marie Bernadette Tegeler, Clara Wall, Catherine Tegeler, and Mildred Conzett.

Ethel was born July 4, 1931, in Dyersville, Iowa, the daughter of Gerhard Alois “Jerry” Tegeler and Alma Bernadette (Heming) Tegeler.  The doctor who delivered her was pressed into service, missed the town’s Fourth of July celebration, and was quite upset at this firecracker baby for disrupting his festivities.  She graduated from St. Francis Xavier High School in Dyersville, Iowa in May 1949.

Seeking employment, Ethel set off for Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and worked briefly at The Killian Company department store selling ladies apparel and children’s clothing.  Shortly thereafter, Ethel met the love of her life on a blind date that was arranged by a co-worker. Always being one to keep up with the latest styles of the day, she wore white gloves to the event and her date thought that this was very amusing. Consequently, the date almost ended before it even started. She found it in her heart to forgive him and agreed to a second date.

Ethel was united in marriage to Darrell Ray McCreedy on October 20, 1951, in Dyersville, Iowa at St. Francis Xavier Basilica. She often expressed her deep devotion to her faith and tried to live a life of service to others.

Ethel later worked at Pennick & Ford (Penford) for 10 years as a switchboard operator and then was employed by the Cedar Rapids Community School District as a health secretary and eventually as principal’s secretary for four elementary schools including: Fillmore, Van Buren, Harrison, and Madison, retiring in 1996.  She often mentioned her love of children and her desire to help them at school in any way that she could.  She was a recipient of the National Association of Educational Office Personnel and the American Association of School Administrators and National Association of Elementary School Principals Professional Standards Certificate awarded this 15th day of May 1988 located in Washington, D.C. 

Ethel will be fondly remembered for her sense of humor, acumen, and wit.  She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, cooking, Big Band music, reading, tennis, and playing golf.  In 1975, she was awarded by the Professional Women’s Golf Association “E Flight Tournament” Runner-Up.

This obituary is dedicated to the memory of one whom we hold most dear, and is our tribute of love, affection, and untold admiration, to a wonderful woman, our mother, Ethel Marie (Tegeler) McCreedy.  She was an exceptional mother and a loving wife who cared deeply about her family and will be dearly missed. Above all, she was a remarkable person and a very gallant lady.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Hospice of Mercy in mom’s name. The family wishes to express deep gratitude to the nurses, doctors, and healthcare professionals of Mercy Hospital and the staff of Hospice of Mercy, as well as all who contributed to the well-being and loving care of Ethel.  We would also like to extend our sincere thank you to the parish staff of St. Patrick Catholic Church.  May God grant our loving mom Ethel eternal peace.