Elmer, Mary A.

Mary A. Elmer, 79, of Manor Care died there Monday Feb. 22, 2010 after a long illness. Memorial services at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the First Church of the Nazarene, Cedar Rapids, where friends may call after 2 p.m. The Rev. Tim Carter will officiate. Mary's body was donated to the University of Iowa for medical research. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include two sons, Don (Donna) Thomas of Cedar Rapids, and Anthony Elmer of Deptford, N.J.; one daughter, Sandra (Ronny) Vann of Van Nyes, Calif.; one sister, Mildred Donald; and two brothers, James Sonny Oxner and Clarence Oxner, all of Tupelo, Miss.

She is also survived by five grandchildren, Kendra, Jenna, Samantha, Natalie and Samantha.

She was preceded in death by her husband; one brother, Edward Oxner; two sisters, Della Lois Nanny and Louise Fowler; and two grandchildren, Christian and Dylan.

Mary was born on March 9, 1930, in Tupelo, Miss., the daughter of Samuel and Mary Hussey Oxner. She married Edgar L. Elmer on Feb. 23, 1952 in Cedar Rapids. He died in 1991. Mary was a homemaker, a member of the First Church of the Nazarene and the Women's' Auxiliary of the VFW. She was an avid Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs fan.

Mary was a very caring person, always willing to help anyone. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Memorial donations may be given to Hospice Compassus in Mary's name.

Please leave a message or tribute to the Elmer family on the web page, under Obituaries.