Loretta Marie Rosenthal

Loretta (Nioce) Rosenthal, 93, of Cherokee died August 24, 2017, of complications due to pneumonia and COPD. Loretta was born on December 5, 1923, near Mayetta, Kansas, the daughter of Charles and Alice Nioce. She graduated from Holton High School and worked as a telegraph operator for the railroad in Remsen and as a secretary for Olsen Transfer in Cherokee. She married the love of her life (and incredibly patient) Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal on June 17, 1948. Together they lived in Cedar Falls and Waterloo before moving to Cherokee where they remained and raised their three children. Over the years she was an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cherokee and the American Legion Auxiliary of Aurelia. Although she failed to teach her grandchildren to sew, Loretta qualified as a master seamstress and everyone in the family received quilts and other special creations for which they always had to find new places. Loretta remained astoundingly independent and tenacious throughout her entire life and could rarely be found sitting down for any length of time. She was involved in numerous clubs and groups in the Cherokee area; however, no matter where she went, she managed to learn everything about everyone. She somehow always seemed to win at bingo and always thought the Cubs should be doing better than they were, simply asking, "Why don't they hit the ball more?" She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren fiercely. Loretta is survived by three children: Charles Rosenthal of Cherokee; Shirley (Kenn) Kirby of Calmar, Iowa; and Judy Rosenthal of Minneapolis, Minn.; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Jim) Peterson of Alta; Jon (Monica) Rosenthal of Sioux City; Kelly Kirby (Carrie Sharp) of Winona, Minn.; and Thomas (Elisabeth) Kirby of Mason City; and six great-grandchildren, Chris, Melinda, Samantha, Kara, Jude, and James. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents; and five siblings, Vestina, Edgar, Isabelle, Inez and Jeanette.

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