Ella Frances Harkin

Ella Frances (Maher) Harkin was born August 6, 1927 in Des Moines, Iowa to John and Marie Maher. She passed away on October 12, 2023 in Des Moines at the age of 96.

Ella was raised on a farm just outside the town of Cumming, Iowa. She attended elementary school in Cumming before transitioning to high school at Saint Joseph’s Academy in Des Moines. She moved to Denver, Colorado for two years before returning to Iowa.

Ella married James Harkin in 1951. Together they raised their family in the town of Cumming. Ella was a lifetime member of Saint John’s Catholic Church where she served on the Altar Rosary Society. She also belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary. Throughout the years, Ella performed extensive volunteer work with many worthy organizations.

She retired from Preferred Risk Insurance Company. After retirement, Ella worked for the West Des Moines Community School District in the preschool daycare program. She did this for 10 years and had many children who just loved her and loved to play cards with her every morning before school.

Ella was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jim Harkin; her parents; two siblings, John Maher, and Mary Swift; and her son, Vernon Harkin.

She is survived by her sons, Greg (Lois), Jeff (Shani), and Kenneth; and her daughters, Mary Jo (Greg) Kasper, Jeanette (Jim) Bonney, and Doris Linn. Also left to cherish her memory are her 15 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, with a Rosary Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 19, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the St. Johns Cemetery in Cumming. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a future designation. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com

The family would like to thank the nursing staff, and all the caring employees of Wesley Acres and Wesley Hospice who took such wonderful care of their mother in her last days.