Gerald Charles Harrington

oldest of ten children, was born on May 25, 1935, to John Cletus and Margaret (Ryan) Harrington in

Salix, Iowa. Dad learned the importance of faith and family through the example of his parents, who

were materially poor but spiritually rich.

After serving two years in the United States Army, Gerald enrolled in college where he played

baseball and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Creighton University.

In the summer of 1959, he met a beautiful young lady at a Catholic dance named Anne

Kribell. A courtship started, and on January 28, 1961, they were married in a small rural Catholic

Church (St. Joseph) in Emmet, South Dakota. After accepting a position with the federal government,

t hey then started their journey down the road of life and were blessed with eight children, forty

grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. Gerald retired after 25 years as Fort Worth Regional

Housing Director at HUD. He then pursued his dream of being self-employed and worked as a

residential appraiser for over ten years until his retirement.

In Dad’s words, “There are very few absolutes in this life, but one thing I know for certain is

that I was able to make this earthly journey with a very holy person. She was truly a role model for a

mother and wife.” Anne died on April 7, 2015.

Our parents’ greatest legacy was their gift of faith. Their enduring love for one another

through all the sorrow, joy, pain, and triumph gave us a wonderful example of how to live our lives.

Some of our most precious memories are all of us kneeling around their bed praying the rosary. While

Mom’s love was always expressed through her constant words of affirmation, Dad expressed his love

through small acts of kindness. Even in death, we are learning about the people and businesses Dad

saved through his generosity. He also supported missions, abbeys, and pro-life charities.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, John Cletus and Margaret Harrington; his

father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph and Katherine Kribell; his wife, Anne Leona Harrington; his

brothers: John, Mike, Paul, Vince, and brother-in-law Gus; and Anne’s siblings: Mildred, Lucille

(Howard), Monica (Marshall), Dolores (Roger), Mary Therese (Bryan), James (Joan), Daniel (Dee),

Lewis, Larry. He is survived by his children: Daniel (Jill), Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and their twelve

children and fifteen grandchildren; Sean (Millie), Alexandria, VA, and his three children; Patricia

Colbert (Jeff), Carrollton, TX, and their seven children; Marie Setliff (Scott), McKinney, TX, and

their three children; Quinn (Christina), Prosper, TX, and their two children; Kevin (Janis) Midland,

TX, and their five children; Stephen (Angie) Prosper, TX, and their three children; Kathleen Hauck

(Michael) Jacksonville, NC, and their five children. His brothers and their wives: Ray (Pat); Larry

(Linda); Dennis; Jim (Cathy); his sister Joan Rysavy; and sister-in-law Gloria Kribell; and numerous

nieces and nephews of the Harrington and Kribell families.

In lieu of flowers lieu of flowers please donate to the Kansasmonks.org, donate in memory of

George C. Harrington or mail donations to: St. Benedict’s Abbey 1020 N. 2nd Street Atchison, KS 66002