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 James Sylvester "Jimmy" Gaffaney, son of James Aloysious Gaffaney and Catherine Elenora "(null)" Martin.Born 29 Dec 1906 Leven Township, Pope County, Minnesota, died 3 Jan 1978 Stearns County, Minnesota, age 71 years, buried Glenwood, Pope County, Minnesota Catherine said her father had a kidney removed at the U of M in 1953. Ambrose Gaffaney was best man at Jimmy's wedding and Julia was bridesmaid. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or "Lou Gehrig's Disease": About 5-10% of the cases of ALS are hereditary, called "familial ALS." In those people, it is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. That means that on a statistical basis, 50% of their offspring are expected to be affected. Of the other 90-95% ("sporadic ALS"), no hereditary factor is evident, and therefore the children are not at risk of inheriting the disease. No cure or treatment is available in either case. Both forms of the disease are identical in terms of diagnosis, clinical courses and outcome. Most die within 2 to 5 years. Rose Cooley Wolfarth (daughter of Mary Gaffaney and John Cooley and first cousin to James Gaffaney, senior) carried a gene of the version of ALS that is hereditary. I have heard that the University of Minnesota did a study on this disease in the Cooley family. Rose died of Alzheimer's at the age of 59. She had three children: In 1973 Betty Wolfarth Winter died of ALS at the age of 47 after having it for five years. She and her husband Lloyd had three children, two boys and a girl, all of whom are subject to getting ALS. As of about 2000, none of them had children, and by choice. In 1986 Richard Wolfarth died of ALS at the age of 53, after having it for five years. Donald Wolfarth died of Alzheimer's in 1993 at the age of 66 after having it two years. James Gaffaney (junior) and Harold Gaffaney (brothers) are first cousins of Betty, Richard and Donald. Jimmy Gaffaney died of ALS at the age of 71 in 1978, after having it five years or less. [A variant is called Progressive Bulbar Palsy, all of whose symptoms I think he had, and is very similar to what his brother Harold had]. None of Jimmy's 13 kids has shown and evidence of ALS that I'm aware of, and there's a 50% chance that any one of them would get it if it were the hereditary form, so I'm doubtful that he had that form. Update 2/14/2015: Jimmy's daughter Janet has ALS. Harold Gaffaney died of Pseudobulbar Palsy at the age of 62 in 1973, which has many similar ALS symptoms, but also includes dementia. Harold's son Delbert died of either "Pick's Disease," according to his son Jim, or ALS according to some of his siblings. Margaret Mary Egan Parks (1946-1995) died at the age of 48 of ALS. She is my (David Gaffaney) 4th cousin. She descends from the Rooney line. Married 30 Jun 1936, age 29 years (married 41 years) to:  Elsie Irene Sellgren, age by marriage 23 yearsBorn 14 May 1913 Glenwood, Pope County, Minnesota, died 19 Feb 1990 Glenwood, Pope County, Minnesota, age 76 years Children: 2. Janet Ruth GaffaneyBorn 1 May 1939 Glenwood, Pope County, Minnesota, died 23 Nov 2016 Somerset, Wisconsin, age 77 years Janet has some old Gaffaney family pictures. 2015: Janet has "bulbar paralysis." As of January 17, 2016 she needs 24-hour/day care, and Donna is doing it, says Catherine. Janet died of the bulbar paralysis or ALS. Janet Ruth Belisle Born in Glenwood MN, 5-1-1939, married Roland 8-20-1960 and moved to Somerset Wi. Janet left this world on 11-23-2016 she is preceded in death by her parents James and Elsie Gaffaney as well as 2 brothers , Thomas Gaffaney and Robert Gaffaney and 2 sisters Mary Gaffaney (Zenzen) and Betty Gaffaney (Mott). Janet and Roland raised 4 children Lisa Belisle, (Larry Carufel) Susan (Fred) Pasno, Kevin (Liza) Belisle, Thomas (Sara) Belisle, as well as 4 Grandchildren, Eli and Sophie Belisle and Andrew and Anna Pasno. Janet enjoyed, playing cards with friends, wintering in Arizona and traveling extensively. Janet worked at Saint Anne's School as the Kitchen Manager for 30 years. Janet passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. The family of Janet Belisle would like to recognize all the love and dedication exhibited by Janet's sister Donna Eddy whose extraordinary efforts made it possible for Janet to live out her days in the comfort of her home. Special thanks to the staff at Lakeview Hospice and the many friends and family members for all they have done for our famil y. Visitation will be at 10:00 am on Monday 11-28-2016 at St. Anne's Church in Somerset, WI with mass and Christian burial at 11:00am. 3. Ellen Marie GaffaneyBorn 9 Oct 1940 Glenwood, Pope County, Minnesota, died 29 Jul 2017 Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota, age 76 years, buried West Union, Todd County, Minnesota Ellen Bentfield BORN: October 9, 1940 DIED: July 29, 2017 LOCATION: Sauk Centre, Minnesota Ellen Bentfield, age 76 of Sauk Centre passed into her new life early Saturday, July 29, 2017 at St. Michael's Nursing Home in Sauk Centre, MN. Ellen Marie Gaffaney was born on October 9, 1940 in Glenwood, MN to James and Elsie (Sellgren) Gaffaney. She was one of thirteen children born to this union. Ellen graduated from Glenwood High School. She worked in the Twin Cities for a few years at an insurance agency. On April 26, 1969 Ellen was united in marriage with Vernon Bentfield. They farmed south of Osakis in Douglas County and raised their family. She helped as a cook at Mary's Café in Osakis for a time and also worked for Kadejan, Inc. in Glenwood. When she took a job as a rep for Service 800, Ellen was happy to be able to work from her home and worked until her retirement in 2008. They are members of St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union and Ellen belonged to the Christian Mothers. As a busy wife and mother, when Ellen had time for herself, she enjoyed knitting, sewing, reading and crocheting. She made many beautiful projects to share with her family and friends. She was a wonderful cook who spoiled her family with a variety of homemade cakes and cookies. Ellen enjoyed playing bingo and doing jigsaw puzzles, but her favorite activity was spending time with her family and grandchildren. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister who will be dearly missed. She is survived by her husband, Vernon of Sauk Centre; children, Connie Bentfield Enge of Shakopee, Cindy (Ken Stenzel) Bentfield of Water Valley, TX, Judy (Bob) Mattson of Glenwood, Karen Bentfield of Osakis, Ronald (Lori) Bentfield of Sauk Centre, Nancy (Andrew) Pint of Belle Plaine; grandchildren Emily and Rachel (Connie), Johanna, John, Brandon and Brentley (Karen), John (Ron and Lori), Katie and Karie (Judy and Bob) and 5 great grandchildren; siblings, Catherine (Norbert) Becker of Mesa, AZ, Polly Balko of Minneapolis, Donna Eddy of Zimmerman, Michael (Paula) Gaffaney of Big Lake, Patrick (Elaine) Gaffaney of Thief River Falls, Peter Gaffaney of Duluth and Paul (Wanda) Gaffaney of New Mexico; many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her parents, an infant daughter, siblings, Janet (Roland) Belisle, Betty (Roy) Mott, Mary Zenzen, Thomas Gaffaney and Robert (Floren) Gaffaney. The family wishes to express sincere thanks to the staff at St. Michael's Care Center in Sauk Centre. Ellen shared many stories of the staff, residents and activities she enjoyed during her stay with them. Special thanks to each of the individuals who made a special connection with Ellen and brought her joy. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 5 at 11:00 am at St. Alexius Church in West Union with Fr. Kumar Sudhansu and Fr. Andrew Marthaler. Inurnment at the church cemetery. Visitation is at the church beginning at 9 am on Saturday. 4. Elizabeth Ann "Betty" GaffaneyBorn 19 Oct 1941 Glenwood, Pope County, Minnesota, died 7 Jun 1995 Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota Event Description: Glenwood Cemetery, MN, age 53 years, buried Glenwood, Pope County, Minnesota 6. Robert John "Bob" GaffaneyBorn 29 Dec 1943 Glenwood, Pope County, Minnesota, died 28 Jun 2015 Shakopee, Scott County, Minnesota Event Description: Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, age 71 years Robert J. 'Bob' Gaffaney Gaffaney, Robert 'Bob' J. Preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother and 2 sisters. Survived by his wife of 41 years, Floren "Flo"; daughters, Lynn, Melissa and Bobbie (John) Gabler; grandsons, Leighton, Robert and Bode; 5 sisters and 4 brothers; numerous nieces and nephews; several great nieces and nephews; and great-great niece and nephew; many lifelong friends. Funeral service Thursday, 7/2/15, 11:00 AM at Golden Valley Lutheran Church, 5501 Glenwood Ave., Golden Valley. Private interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Visitation one hour prior to service at church and Wednesday, 7/1/15, 4:00-8:00 PM at: Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th St. & Hwy. 100. 8. Thomas James GaffaneyBorn 12 Dec 1946 Glenwood, Pope County, Minnesota, died 17 May 2001 Elk River, Sherburne County, Minnesota Event Description: Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, age 54 years, buried Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota Section 2-A, Site 236, US AIR FORCE, MSGT, VIETNAM Fort Snelling National Cemetery 11. Mary Juanita GaffaneyBorn 15 Apr 1953 Glenwood, Pope County, Minnesota, died 10 Jun 2007 Turtle Lake, Barron County, Wisconsin Event Description: buried in Amery, Wisconsin, age 54 years, buried Amery, Polk County, Wisconsin | |||