Dr. Marianne Ranson Giangreco, 79, Glenwood
Dr. Marianne (Ranson) Giangreco, age 79, of Glenwood, formerly of Jacksonville, Ill., Washington, D.C., and Council Bluffs, died March 9, 2009, at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs. Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, March 22, 2009, at Waubonsie Church in rural Glenwood. Pastor Darrell Hopp will officiate. Private graveside services will be at the Diamond Grove Cemetery at Jacksonville, Ill.
She was born Feb. 1, 1930, in Springfield, Ill., to Gail Brook and Evanda (Potter) Ranson. She was united in marriage to Dr. C. Joseph Giangreco on June 29, 1949, in Jacksonville. To this union two children were born, Joseph Brook and Marianne Evanda. Mrs. Giangreco earned her bachelor’s degree from Illinois College in Jacksonville, a master’s degree from Gaulladet University in Washington, D.C., and her doctorate from Iowa State University in Ames. During her career, she was a communication specialist and was a full-time professor at U.N.O. She also taught extension classes for U.N.I., University of Iowa and Northern Illinois University. While her husband was the superintendent for the Iowa School for the Deaf, she was employed as a communication specialist there as well. She contributed her time to the board for Children’s Square and United Way while she resided in Council Bluffs. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Council Bluffs as well as P.E.O., later demitting to Chapter F.F. when she and her husband relocated to Glenwood. They became instrumental in the restoration of the Waubonsie Church south of Glenwood near their home. She gave countless hours to many service organizations, receiving awards throughout the years from many of them. Her sudden departure has left a void that cannot be replaced and she will be fondly remembered by all whose lives she touched.
Preceding her in death were her parents. She is survived by her husband Dr. C. Joseph Giangreco of Glenwood; son, Joseph Brook Giangreco of Glenwood, Iowa; daughter, Marianne Evanda and husband Norman Burgeson of Bloomington, Ill.; five grandchildren and a host of friends.
Memorials may be made to the Waubonsie Church of rural Glenwood (account established at Glenwood State Bank) or the Deaf Missions, 21199 Greenview Rd., Council Bluffs, Iowa, 51503. Petersen Mortuary of Glenwood is in charge of arrangements.