Mary Josephine Balagna's Obituary
Mary Josephine Balagna, age 96, of Davenport, formerly of Centerville passed away Saturday, December 7, 2024 at her home.
Josephine was born September 29, 1928, the daughter of Lewis and Margaret (Pomatto) Balagna. She attended Silkenitter School through fifth grade. Then she went to Diamond School for grades six through eight. After finishing school at Diamond, Jo attended Centerville High School and graduated in 1945.
After graduating high school, Jo worked the summer of '45 in Kansas City and intermittently there while attending Centerville Community College, graduating in 1948. During High School and Community College, she boarded with her grandparents on the weekends and in town during the week.
Her teaching career started in the fall of 1946 when she filled in a few weeks teaching grades 5-8 at Brazil. After graduation from community college in 1948 Jo taught two years in Exline at the one-room country school. After Exline she attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College, moving to Davenport after graduating in 1953. She taught 2nd grade at Monroe Elementary until retirement in 1989.
Left to cherish Mary's memory are her cousins, Patti (David) Baumgartner, Tony Bettin, Laura Bettin, Denise Billman, David (Rita) Susin, Jolene Fadiga, Bruce (Cathy) Clark, Bradley (Mary) Clark, Bryon (Margaret) Clark; as well as several extended family and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Margaret Balagna; as well as aunts and uncles.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Friday December 27, 2024 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville. Private burial will take place at a later date at Oakland Cemetery in Centerville. Visitation will take place Friday December 27, 2024 at Thomas Funeral Home, with the family greeting friends from 10:30AM-11:00AM. Memorials have been established to either the Family, to be used towards a scholarship in Mary's name, EveryStep Hospice, or Scott County Fire and Rescue, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home ATTN: Balagna Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at https://www.thomasfh.com or https://www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
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