Josephine Haggerty

Josephine Nellie Vrchota was born on August 4, 1912 to parents Joesph and Anna (Zahradnik) Vrchorta at the Vrchota Homestead by Hillhead, South Dakota. Josie was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Catholic Church in Veblen, South Dakota. She attended school until the 8th grade at Stanley Hill Country School in Marshall County.



On May 28, 1932, Josie was united in marriage to John Haggerty in Lake City, South Dakota. To this union, they were blessed with 9 children: Vivian, Dorothy, John, Ike, Terry, Cheryl, Keith, Judy, and Greg. They farmed in Roberts and Marshall Counties in South Dakota before moving to Browns Valley in the fall of 1957. Josie had various jobs cooking including: Dan’s Cafe, Ike’s Chicken Shack, and the Browns Valley Health Center. She very much enjoyed waitressing at Dan’s Coliseum in Browns Valley as she loved the old time polka and waltz bands that played.



Josie was a member of the Card Club, Daughters of Isabella, Christian Mothers, and the Prayer circle for many years. She enjoyed gardening sewing, baking, playing cards with family and friends, and she was also a very big Minnesota Twins Fan.



Josephine died on Saturday, October 10, 2009, at the Wheaton Community Hospital in Wheaton, MN having lived to reach the age of 97 years.



Josie is survived by her children: Vivian Holman Benson of Sisseton, SD, Dorothy (Bob) Spethmann of Sioux Falls, SD, Ike (Hilda) Haggerty of Aberdeen, SD, Cheryl Haggerty Bahr of Sioux Falls, SD, Keith (Cindy) Haggerty of Browns Valley, MN, Judy (Ron) Gettman of Browns Valley, MN, Greg (Nancy) Haggerty of Sioux Falls, SD; 35 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; daughters-in-law Elaine Haggerty and Liz Haggerty Waltrip; 6 sisters and 3 brothers.



Josie is preceded in death by her husband John; sons: John and Terry; sons-in-law: Neal Holman and LeLand Benson; 3 sisters, and 2 brothers.



Larson Funeral Home in Browns Valley is in charge of arrangements. To send condolences to the family on-line, visit our website at www.larsonfuneral.com