Etta Irene Enright's Obituary
The world was blessed on February 23, 1925 with the birth of Etta Irene Calif. She was the first-born daughter of Charles H. and Opal (Hammond) Calif. They later added three sisters to the family: Betty Lu, Elaine, and Judy. Etta passed peacefully on August 19, 2024 at Pearls II - Eden for Elderly - in Princeton, Mo.
Etta grew up helping her father, Charles, with all aspects of the farm. From working in the field putting in crops, to working on the thrashing crew and livestock, to mastering the art of cooking alongside her mother, Opal, there was nothing Etta couldn't do.
Etta attended and graduated from Sewal School in 1943. She road to and from school in a horse drawn school bus.
Etta lived her whole life in Wayne County, Iowa until her eyesight and hearing eventually diminished to the point that she could no longer live alone. She then resided with her daughter, Staci, - still on a farm - but in Missouri this time. In March of 2022, she made her final move into Pearls II.
On March 7, 1945 Etta married Delmar J. Enright in Corydon, Iowa. Together they built a life farming and trucking. They welcomed four children: Jim, Rick, Peggy and Staci to the Calif Century Farm east of Sewal. Delmar and Etta were married 59 years until his passing in 2004. Etta was always busy! She enjoyed her gardens, vegetables, flowers, canning for her family, and tending to all the farm animals. She especially loved her herd of Holstein milk cows.
Etta was a 4-H leader, participant of the Sewal Ladies Aid, member of the Busy Stitchers Club, and, as time allowed, an avid reader. She spent many hours with at least one grandchild, if not multiple, on her lap reading to them. "There always room for one more" was her motto.
Left with tons of memories and many Etta-ism's are her children, Jim (Janet) Enright, Rick (late Karla) Enright, Peggy (Byron) Johnson, and Staci (Jason) Dorbeck; one sister, Judy (Ernest) Nichols; sister-in-law, Erma Enright; grandchildren, Jerry (Stephanie Koch) Enright, Jeff (Angie) Enright, Bridget (Brad) Werts, Jenni (Brock) Glenn, Jaemi Poncy, Michael (Sommer) Enright, Jared (Marie Jellison) Johnson, Paige (Joe) Keller, Amber (Alex Williams) Swan, DJ (Clarissa Cormeny) Swan, Taylor and Tanner Dorbeck; great grandchildren, Ashtin (Trevor) Sherrard, Travis (Tylar) Enright, Madison Enright, Calif Poncy, Ali and Jaden Enright, Olivia, Owen and Oxley Enright, Lucy, Meadow and Rogen Keller, Lincoln Bennett, Kimberlynn and Ettalynn Swan, EllieJo Irene and Jase Williams and Dugun Glenn; two bonus grandsons, Bryant and Braden Werts; a great granddaughter, Shayla (Colt) Christianson; three great-great grandsons, Tucker and Tanner Sherrard and Rylan Enright; and great-great granddaughter, Hattie Christianson.
Preceding her in life was her parents, Opal and Charles; husband, Delmar; in-laws Dewey and Opal Enright; daughter in law, Karla Enright; sister and husbands, Betty Lu and Lee Baird, Sonny and Elaine McKee; brothers-in-law, Elmer and Dwayne Enright; and nephews, Tom Baird and Pat McKee.
A Celebration of a long, well lived life with be held at 11AM, Friday, August 23, 2024 at the Sewal Church in Sewal Iowa. Etta will be laid to rest by Delmar in the Shriver Cemetery in private Family Service. Memorials may be made to either Pearls II, Sewal Church or St Jude Children's Hospital, and can be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Enright Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
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