Elizabeth J. "Jo" Tierney

Elizabeth Jo Tierney, age 87, of Decorah, IA, died Thursday, January 17, 2013 at Wellington Place in Decorah. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah with Rev. Phillip Gibbs and Rev. Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg officiating. Inurnment will be in St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery in Decorah. Visitation will begin at 9:30 A.M. Tuesday at St. Benedict Church, one hour before services. Elizabeth Jo Tierney was born on January 31, 1925 in Springer, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Eulan and Ruby (Kuntz) Mitchell and was the oldest of three daughters. She graduated from Norman High School then moved to California to work as a telephone operator during WWII. While in California, she lived with her dear cousin Theopa. On the steps of the telephone office, she met a young Marine who was to become, after the war, her future husband. Norbert whisked her away to Decorah, Iowa and they were married on October 1, 1946. Norb and Jo had two beloved sons, Larry and David. Jo worked for many years as a Bell Telephone operator until her retirement in 1977, to become a full time housewife. Norb owned and operated the local True Value Hardware Store. Jo is survived by her husband Norbert; two sons, Larry Tierney of Naples, FL and David (Darci) Tierney of Missouri Valley, IA; two grandchildren, Garett & Kylie; and one sister Latsy Parker of Mesa, AZ. She was preceded in death by parents, Eulan Mitchell and Ruby Gooch, and sister Betty Brunken. She leaves behind numerous friends and extended family, and will be missed by all.