116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Best, Mary Maude
Mary Maude Best was born Oct. 10, 1917, in Montezuma, Iowa, a daughter of Cecil and Alyn Thorn Griffin. She graduated from Montezuma High School in 1935 and worked a short time in New York City. While working in Fort Madison she met Wilbur Dean Best. They were united in marriage on March 20, 1946, in Montezuma. Mary and Dean made their home in Fort Madison, North English, and Marengo before moving back to North English in 1962 where they owned and operated Best Funeral Home and Best Furniture. Mary was a member of the North English United Methodist Church, UMW, Fortnightly Club, Eastern Star, PEO and the Millersburg Legion Auxiliary. Dean preceded her in death in December 2005. Mary became a resident of the English Valley Care Center in January 2007 and died there on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, at the age of 92 years, 3 months and 25 days.
Mary is survived by daughters, Patricia Best of North English and Barb Wright (John) of Waukee; sons, Ed Best (Kim) of Urbandale and Dan Best of North English. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Kelli Best-Oliver and husband Chris Oliver, Jacob Best, Andrew Best (Liz) and Allie and Hilary Wright; sisters, Frances Kutzner of St. Charles, Mo., Anne Steele of Fort Madison and Dorothy Haworth of Caledonia, Mich.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband; an infant daughter, Mary Rebecca; a sister, Grace Strah; and a brother, Richard Griffin.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North English, with Pastor Ben Wilson officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be held in the North English Cemetery at a later date.
Following the memorial service, friends are invited to Knoll Ridge Country Club in North English for a time of fellowship and refreshments.
Messages and tributes may be left at www.powell
funeralhomes.com under obituaries.
A memorial fund has been established for the North English United Methodist Church, North English QRS and English Valleys Citizen's Scholarship Foundation.
Daily Newsletters