Novella Meany

Novella Anne Meany of Rose Creek, MN., passed away in her sleep on December 23, 2017 in the comfort of her own home from complications of anemia. I‎t was her wish to stop blood transfusions and medications in mid-December and simply die peacefully at the beloved family farm. Novella Anne Castle was born May 28, 1932 in Redwood Falls, MN, and graduated high school from Bethlehem Academy, Faribault, MN. She then went to college in Winona, graduating from the College of Saint Teresa with a bachelor’s degree in education. I‎t was during college that she met Marie (Ellis) Landherr, her dear friend who introduced Novella to John Meany at a Catholic dance in Albert Lea shortly after she accepted her first teaching job in Austin. John and Novella’s courtship was quick, marrying on April 7, 1958 in Faribault after six months of dating. Novella and John lived in Austin for a year before moving to the Meany family farmhouse in rural Rose Creek. Novella gave up her full-time teaching position with the upcoming birth of first child Paul, raising all six children on the family farm. When the youngest child Beth entered elementary school, Novella decided to re-enter the work world as a substitute teacher in the Rose Creek and Adams area. She went on to teach for many years, filling in wherever needed but preferred the assignments that placed her with kindergarteners and first grade students. Novella loved doting on children, often getting on the floor to play with them. She excelled as a mother, pouring unconditional love and attention into her children and grandchildren. Forever the teacher, Novella instilled in children her lifelong love of reading with frequent trips to the library/bookmobile and nightly reading sessions. She also celebrated curiosity and encouraged her kids to research subjects they were interested in (long before Google made it easy). But most of all, Novella will be remembered for the endless joy she found in being a grandmother. She would drop anything to tend to the needs of her grandchildren, often traveling hundreds (if not thousands) of miles to be the best babysitter ever. All the grandchildren adored her, with memories of her playing countless rounds of cards with them. John and Novella spent much of their retirement traveling across the United States in a Buick LeSabre packed to the gills with camping supplies. They traveled through all 50 states, seeking out national parks and visits with their out-of-state children, grandchildren and other relatives. Novella had a strong Catholic faith and spent many years volunteering as a lector at St. Peter Catholic Church in Rose Creek. She enjoyed attending daily mass whenever possible and stopping for coffee with friends afterwards. Novella is survived by John — her husband of nearly 60 years — and children Brian (Peg) Meany, Lynne (Jeff) Warne, Ann (Tom) Bastian, Beth (Kris) Jungels; 12 grandchildren and three great grandchildren; her brother Jerry (Meg) Castle; sister-in-law Mary Keys; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by parents William and Elizabeth Castle, sister Margaret Castle, sons Paul and Mark, and grandsons Brian and Alex Jungels. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church with Father Swaminatha Pothireddy officiating. Friends may call Friday April 6, from 4-6 pm at Mayer Funeral home. and one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 300 Maple St. SW, Rose Creek, MN 55970.

Service Information

Cemetery

St. Peter's Cemetery

Rose Creek MN 55970

Visitation

Friday, April 6 2018
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Mayer Funeral Home
600 2nd Street NW
Austin MN 55912

Visitation

Saturday, April 7 2018
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Saint Peter Catholic Church
302 Maple St SW
Rose Creek MN 55970

Service

Saturday, April 7 2018
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Saint Peter Catholic Church
302 Maple St SW
Rose Creek MN 55970