
Yvonne “Vonnie” Grell, age 92, of Battle Creek, Iowa (formerly of Danbury, Iowa) passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek, Iowa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 24, 2025, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Danbury, Iowa. Father William A. McCarthy will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Danbury Catholic Cemetery of Danbury, Iowa.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a Rosary at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Vigil Service at 6:45 p.m., Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Danbury, Iowa.
The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
Yvonne “Vonnie” Ann Kennaley was born to Thomas Edward and Anna Lena (Schimmer) Kennaley, on August 14, 1932. Vonnie and her family lived on the outskirts of Danbury, Iowa. She received her education from St. Patrick’s Academy graduating in 1950.
On May 24, 1950, Vonnie was united in marriage to Fred “Freddie” Grell at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Danbury. Vonnie worked outside the home doing recordkeeping at a local lawyer’s office when Freddie was deployed during the Korean Conflict. Upon starting their family, she then became a stay-at-home mom raising their children. Her most significant and cherished role was being a very active mother and later grandmother.
Family was always at the center of Vonnie’s life. The house was a safe place for all and no one would ever leave hungry. Fried potatoes and hamburgers were always on the menu. Vonnie and Freddie grew their family in an unconventional way. She would commonly joke that her children were begged, borrowed, and stolen.
Vonnie was always found at home. She was busy babysitting, running the home, dispatching and answering phones for Grell Trucking. She was a wonderful cook, gardener, talented seamstress, and loved to go to garage sales. She took great pride in finding a good bargain. Vonnie enjoyed chatting (a little gossip and good humor), a never ending cup of coffee, vacationing to their cabin by East Lake Okoboji, playing cards, and being with her family. She was always concerned about her kids. She was the most wonderful mother, grandma, aunt, and sister. Vonnie was the matriarch who instilled her strong Catholic faith in her family and all who knew her. She was always the happiest when she had all her “chicks” surrounding her. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Left to cherish her memory include her children Diane “Dolly” (Dan) Varner of Sioux City, IA, Tom (Melissa) Grell of Goliad, TX, Anne Carlson of Mapleton, IA and Jamey (Anna) Grell of Danbury, IA; special granddaughter who they raised Angie (Neal) Watkins of Ida Grove, IA; grandchildren: Nate, Nick, and Noel Varner, Randy Grell, Jason Carlson, Amanda Hoffman, Emily, Lydia, and Andrew Grell; 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Anna Kennaley; husband Freddie Grell; son Jerry Grell; and all of her siblings (Bob, Pat, Shirley, and Laura).
Thank you to the staff at Willow Dale and Hospice who provided comfort, companionship, and the utmost care of our mom. Your love and service are deeply appreciated from the family of Vonnie Grell.
Previous Events
Visitation
23
Jan
604 Peach Street
Danbury, IA 51019
Rosary Service at 6:30 p.m., Vigil Service at 6:45 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial
24
Jan
604 Peach Street
Danbury, IA 51019
Cemetery Details
Location
Danbury, IA 51019