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Mary Ernest
MARY ERNEST
Cedar Rapids
Mary Elizabeth Ernest, 93, of Ames, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, at Riverside North Community of Ames. Funeral Mass: 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church with the Rev. David Beckman officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home where a vigil will be held at 4 p.m. and for one hour before services Saturday at the church.
Survivors included her son, Dean Ernest (Jerri Lynn); daughter, Dawn Hoffhines (Terry); and daughter, Diane Ernest Dvorak; grandchildren, Megan Hoffhines Williams and daughter Tayler; Amiee Ford (Chris) and children Logan and Lauren; Jeramie Ernest (Beth) and children Emma Grace and Mason; triplets, Kat, Jacob and Sara Dvorak; Joe Fry (Sharon) and children Eli, Evie and Emmett; and Jennifer Stumpf (Paul) and children Nate, Emily and Frank; and beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dean in 1980; and sisters, Peggy and Frankie.
Mary was born June 17, 1921, in Cedar Rapids, the eldest daughter of Edward J. and Mary (Rickert) Burns. She married Dean J. Ernest on Valentine's Day 1942 in Trenton, N.J., at the start of World War II. Mary's career was at Smulekoff's Furniture Store as an executive secretary for 43 years. She was a member of St. Matthew's Catholic Church.
Mary was never forgotten by anyone. Each life she touched was enriched by her witty intelligence, her compassionate heart and gentle humor. She lived her life in a gracious and admirable manner, thinking of others before herself and loving her immediate and extended family with a fierce and loyal love.
May she now dance forever in heaven with Dad.
Mary's family would like to extend sincere thanks and gratitude to the Riverside North Community and the dedicated medical family who helped care for her.
Memorials may be made in Mary's name to Riverside North Community, 3440 Grand Ave., Ames, IA 50010.
Online condolences may be left at www.cedar
memorial.com under "obituaries."
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