Ernest Corso Obituary (1931 - 2022)

Ernest Anthony Corso, age 91, passed away on September 21, 2022 under Hospice care. Ernie was born on March 30, 1931 in his family home in Hocking, Iowa to Giovanni"John" and Mary (Fontinel) Corso. He graduated from Albia Community High School in 1948. He met Loretta Beary rollerskating and they were married June 23, 1953 at St. Mary's Church in Weller, Iowa. He proudly served in the Army during the Korean War. After serving his country he attended the University of Iowa, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy. After graduation, he and Loretta with their first three children returned to Albia. They purchased a one room school house in Hocking where he had attended grade school. They converted it into a home, raising their seven children. His family had a large vegetable garden, orchard, cows, chickens and goats. He worked for the VA Medical Center in Knoxville, Iowa as an Occupational Therapist, retiring after 31 years. He was the honorary Mayor of Hocking, Iowa after he petitioned to get the town back on the Iowa DOT road map. Ernie was involved in the American Legion, Knights of Columbus and St. Mary's Catholic Church, serving on several committees from Cemetery Board to assisting with Election Day Dinner. He and Loretta enjoyed square dancing and Thanksgiving with family. For many years, Loretta and Ernie maintained the flowers at Carr Park. He also enjoyed fishing, hayrack rides and treasure hunting with the grandkids. He is survived by his children, Leo (Leslie) Corso, Mark (Teresa) Corso, Joe (Denise) Corso, Matthew (Margaret) Corso, Ann (Rob) Mindock, Angela (Leroy) Volkman, and Luke (Hope) Corso. 16 Grandchildren, Rick Shaw, Amie (Kris) Reed, Nathaniel Corso, Megann (Edmund) Blankson, Justin Corso, Aaron (Brandon) Corso, Alicia Corso, Nicholas (Sindy) Corso, Ellie (Samantha) Corso, Dominic (Jackie) Corso, Rachael and Maria Volkman, Samual, Joel, Sean and Jill Corso. 5 great grandchildren Xavier, Leslie and Georgia Blankson, Theodore and Sebastian Corso. One sister Phyllis and her husband Tony Lisac, Sister-in-laws Phyllis Corso, Joan Beary, Betty Beary, Helen Williams, Joyce Koffman, Georgina Beary and many nieces and nephews also survive. He is preceded in death by his wife Loretta, parents, John and Mary Corso, In-Laws Walter and Mary Beary, Brothers James and John Corso, Sister-in-laws Marilyn Corso, Pauline Claman, Brother-in-laws Larry Beary, Walter Beary, Alex Koffman, Bob Claman, Pete Williams and Jerome Beary and great granddaughter Whitley Hedger A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 8, 2022 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albia with Father Mark Yates, C.PP.S. officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Albia with military rites conducted by the American Legion of Albia, Melrose, and Lovilia. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 7, 2022, opening to the public at 2:00 p.m., with Ernie's family present to greet friends from 4-7 p.m., at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia. St. Mary's Altar and Rosary will recite the rosary at 4:00 p.m., at the funeral home on Friday. Memorials may be directed to the Welcome Home Soldier Monument. Online condolences may be left for the family at sinnottfuneralhome.com or the Sinnott Funeral Home Facebook page.