In loving memory of

Ellen J. Flaherty
May 31, 1923 - December 23, 2017

Ellen J. Flaherty, 94, of Fort Dodge passed away Saturday, December 23, 2017 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at Corpus Christi Church and family will be present at 9:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Corpus Christi Cemetery. A visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the church, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. The Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home is serving the family.
Ellen is survived by her children, Mary Ellen Pospishil of Omaha; J. Mick (Alyce) Flaherty; James (Linda) Flaherty all of Fort Dodge; Thomas (Carol) Flaherty) of Mason City; grandchildren, Bradley (Julie) Pospishil of Omaha; Cynthia (Tom) Maher of Omaha, NE; Matt Pospishil of Swannarioa, NC; Doug Pospishil of Omaha; Tim (Jodi) Flaherty of Fort Dodge; Krysi Flaherty of Eugene, OR; Lisa (Ryan) Reisner; Susan (Mark) Laufersweiler all of Fort Dodge; Amy (Adam) White of Altoona; Ryan (Shanna) Flaherty of Altoona; Charles (Jodi) Flaherty of Newton; Joe (Tanya) Flaherty of Boone; Jessica Flaherty of Mason City; Jennifer (Jacob) Thompson of Altoona; great-grandchildren, Jaden and Elena Pospishil; Michael Maher; Abraham, Nolan and Amelia Pospishil; Shannon, Sean, Katie and Maggie Flaherty; McKenzie Flaherty; Callahan Reisner; JT, Griffin and Josie Laufersweiler; Kaleb, Kennedy, and Caroline White; Katie, Abby and Edison Flaherty; Hayden and Henry Flaherty; Cooper and Jarrett Flaherty. She is also survived by sister, Eileen (Bill) Davis of Glendale, AZ; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Mary Ellen (O'Brien) Schuller; husband, John in 2008; son, Dennis; son-in-law, Frank Pospishil; siblings, Robert Schuller; Thomas Schuller; Rosalyn Kramer and Alice McCabe.
Ellen J. Schuller was born May 31, 1923 in Spirit Lake, Iowa. She graduated from the former St. Mary's Academy and Community College in Emmetsburg. She taught in Somers, where she met her husband, John Flaherty. The couple lived in Somers, Lehigh, Jefferson and Fort Dodge. She was a homemaker first and then an office manager for John's insurance business. Ellen and her husband wintered frequently in Sun City West, Arizona after retirement. Ellen was active in the Church, community and schools. She volunteered as a teacher's aide and taught English as a second language in Arizona schools. Ellen was also active in Opus Spiritus.
Memorial may be left to a charity of your choosing.

Tributes

Ed Hendrickson wrote on Dec 31, 2017:

"to the family of Ellen and John, Sympathies from a former student of John's when he was teaching junior High at Somers and coaching. We called him Constitution John as he would leave the room and of course we would all start talking, he would return and it was always loud. He would say get your history books out and start copying the constitution. I remember him as a very strict teacher and a great coach. Some teachers and coaches make a everlasting imprint on your life and he was one. Ed Hendrickson Okoboji, Iowa 515-290-7777 "

Genie Kmicinski wrote on Dec 27, 2017:

"Mick and Jim, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of you mom I pray you find peace in the wonderful memories that you all made together, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. "

Jane Williamson wrote on Dec 26, 2017:

"Ellen was such a sweet, lovely lady! I cleaned for her and John when they lived on Elmhurst and then also when she moved to the cottages at Friendship Haven. My prayers go out to all of her family! Jane Williamson"

Barb Foster Jerome wrote on Dec 26, 2017:

"My mom was just talking about Ellen the other day and saying how much she enjoyed working for John and Ellen at central life. We are thinking of you family and happy we got to know Ellen and all of you!! Barb Foster Jerome"