Georgene Mae McGovern, 87, of Epworth, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at River Bend Retirement Community in Cascade, Iowa.

Friends and relatives of Georgene may call from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday, December 14, 2018 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth, Iowa, where a wake service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friends may also call after 9 a.m., on Saturday, December 15th at the funeral home.

Services for Georgene will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 15, 2018 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Epworth, Iowa with Rev. Phil Kruse presiding. Burial will be held in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Epworth, Iowa.

She was born March 22, 1931 in Sand Springs, Iowa, daughter of George F. and Eva M. (Kramer) Turnis. She received her education in the Sacred Heart School in Monticello, Iowa. On June 18, 1955 she was united in marriage to James “Bud” McGovern at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sand Springs, Iowa. He preceded her in death on January 12, 2018.

Georgene worked in the Kitchen at Mount Carmel for many years. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was also an active gardener and enjoyed canning her produce and she was especially known for her strawberry jam.

She is survived by eleven children, Pat (Lynn) McGovern of Peosta, Tom (Kate) McGovern of Davenport, Sue (Jerry) Ross, Bill McGovern both of Epworth, Joe McGovern of Robins, Mike McGovern of Cedar Rapids, Dave (Christine) McGovern of Atkins, Theresa (John) Larsen of Waunakee, WI, Dan (Amy) McGovern of Peosta, Terry (Jenifer) McGovern of Earlville, and Becky (Terry) Kluesner of Hiawatha; 32 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Marty Turnis of Monticello, IA and Rosie Turnis of Cedar Rapids, IA; sisters-in-laws, Jacqueline Trumm, Joan (Jerry) Otting and Betty Leibold all of Cascade, IA, Linda (Urban) Manternach and Marie (Kenny) Green both of Dubuque, IA, Sr. Ann McGovern of Canton, OH, Donna Reinke of Ferndale, WA and a brother-in-law, Robert (Cheryl) McGovern of Madison, WI.

She is also preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Arnie Turnis, John (Mary Ann) Turnis, Clarence Turnis, Adrian (Mary Lou) Turnis and Bob (Betty) Turnis; a sister, Mary Ann Turnis; brothers-in-law, Thomas McGovern, Louie Leibold, Francis “Bud” Trumm, and Merlin Reinke; Sisters-in-law, Faith (Bob) Kelly and Louise McGovern.

Thank you to the kind and caring staff at River Bend Retirement Community, Memories Unit, for all the exceptional care given to our mother. Your love and kindness is greatly appreciated.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com