Pixler, Mary A.

Mary A. Pixler, 53, of Oelwein, died Wednesday morning, Sept. 2, 2009, at her home after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Funeral service: 11 a.m. Friday at Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein, with the Rev. Charis Combs-Lay officiating. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. today and one hour before services Friday at the funeral home. Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery.

Mary is survived by her husband, Dennis; parents, Francis and Lucile Waldschmidt of Iowa City; four sisters, LuAnn (Randy) DeGood of Riverside, Barbara Hayek of Clutier, Regina (Dan) Snyder of Riverside and Rita (Steve) Best of Greenville, S.C.; 12 nieces and nephews; a great-nephew; and a special aunt by marriage, Shirley “Joan” Smith of Fayette.

Mary Alice Waldschmidt was born May 24, 1956, in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Francis and Lucile (Kron) Waldschmidt. She graduated from Highland High School at Riverside in 1974 and later received her B.A. degree in sociology at Upper Iowa University, Fayette, in 1978. Mary was united in marriage to Dennis Ralph Pixler on Sept. 9, 1978, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. She worked in the business office at Upper Iowa University and later left to be a caretaker for Dennis' mom, Opal Pixler, at their home in Oelwein for 26 years. Mary also worked at Marilyn's Hallmark Shop in Oelwein for several years. She was a member of Christ United Presbyterian Church in Oelwein.

Mary enjoyed crocheting and also furnished afghans for the Cancer Relay for Life Survivors the last few years. She also liked outdoor activities, especially gardening.

A memorial fund has been established in Mary's name.

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