Mary Merryman

MARY MERRYMAN

Marshalltown

Mary Lois Beane Merryman was born

Aug. 3, 1917, in LeGrand, Iowa, to Charles Henry and Edna Lucy Ferguson Beane. She was one of seven children, two of whom died in infancy, and outlived all her other siblings. She died Dec. 8, 2014, while in the care of Iowa River Hospice at Southridge Nursing and Rehab.

Mary Lois graduated from Green Mountain High School and received a teaching certificate from Iowa State Teachers' College. She taught school in eastern Marshall County for five years.

She married Willard Merryman on April 1, 1939. They lived in Taylor Township and Marion Township where Willard was in farming and pork production. She enjoyed teaching her own children and prepared them for school before home-schooling became popular. She was a talented seamstress who made her own clothes and her children's clothes during their school years, as well as sewing professionally for others. Her cooking skills were extraordinary and she maintained a love for cooking her entire life. In her 40s, Mary Lois became secretary to superintendent Richard Hessenius at Green Mountain Schools where she worked for 25 years.

After retirement, she and Willard traveled extensively, including a trip to Scotland, the country where her ancestors originated. After becoming a widow in 1990, she continued to travel and made many friends along the way.

Mary Lois was born a Quaker but became a member of First Baptist Church in Marshalltown in the 1960s. She served in many ways, including teaching ESL to Hispanics. She volunteered at the Marshalltown Public Library and the Salvation Army. She was a member of the Hobby Craft Club through the Marshalltown YMCA. She participated in the cancer support group as a 27-year survivor of ovarian cancer.

In 1960, Mary Lois began attending the Cedar Falls Bible Conference for a day or two each year, eventually renting a cabin on the grounds of Riverview Conference Center in Cedar Falls for the entire weeklong Bible conference as children and grandchildren gathered for a wonderful faith and family experience. She continued to attend the Bible conference for more than 50 years.

Nothing gave her more joy than being with family. She will be missed by her children, Beverly Kilman of Des Moines, Wesley (Nancy) of Cedar Rapids, Myrna (Fred) Bayer of Marshalltown and Jay (Sue) of Panora. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Jill Brand, Joy Rothwell, Amanda Merryman, Gretchen Merryman-Lotze, Melissa Seltman, Susan Bayer-Larson, Abbey Merryman, Molly Merryman, Josh Merryman and Ben Merryman; as well as 12 great-grandchildren who lovingly called her GG.

Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Joan Burns, Jane Markey and Marjorie Beane; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at First Baptist Church, Marshalltown. A private family burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery, before the celebration of life service at 11 a.m. Friday at the church.

Memorials may be made to Cedar Falls Bible Conference, the Marshalltown Public Library or Iowa River Hospice in her name.