Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 30, 2017, at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Ankeny, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the church on Wednesday with a 7 p.m. Rosary.
Loretta Elizabeth Riley was born April 24, 1926, to Donald and Elizabeth (Horan) Riley. She grew up in rural Ottumwa where she attended Ottumwa High and Ottumwa Heights College. Loretta continued her education earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Drake University, and Master’s Degree in Education and Administration from Iowa State University.
On November 12, 1945, Loretta was united in marriage to Thomas Francis Tracy. Loretta was Tom’s Wild Irish Rose, and the couple have been blessed with six children, Michael, Liz, Tim, Kevin, Brian, and Chuck.
Loretta lived a life of service teaching elementary and religious education at numerous Catholic schools; most notably All Saints Catholic Church in Des Moines. She touched many hearts as she nurtured and encouraged many lives throughout her faithful career. Loretta was a member at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church where she served on many committees and groups.
Loretta was the patriarch of her family and always cherished cooking holiday dinners and time spent together. She was grateful to have recently returned to Mt. Rushmore to see the completed project. Her previous visit was when the project was being started.
Loretta’s joyful smile and wonderful sense of humor will be deeply missed by her family. She leaves a legacy of six children, Michael (Marj) Tracy, Liz (Howard) Stewart, Tim (Diane) Tracy, Kevin (Sandy) Tracy, Brian (Marcie) Tracy, and Chuck Tracy; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; siblings, Fran (Mary Kay) Riley, Dan (Pat) Riley, Shirley (Dave) McLaughlin; sister-in-law, Lois Riley; brother-in-law, Bob Tracy and other extended family and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas; siblings, John Riley, Don Riley, and Phil Riley; sisters-in-law, Shirley Louise Riley and Joyce Riley; and great-granddaughter, Maura Keilman.
Donations received will go to the charities of the family's choice in Loretta's honor.
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