Mary Althoff

MARY ELLEN ALTHOFF

New Vienna

Mary Ellen Althoff, 69, of Marion, formerly of New Vienna, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at her home.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave. SW, Dyersville, where a parish vigil service will be held at 3 p.m. Visitation will continue Friday, Sept. 22, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home before funeral services.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Boniface Catholic Church, New Vienna, with burial in the church cemetery. The Rev. John O'Connor will officiate.

Mary Ellen Althoff was born Oct. 30, 1947, the daughter of Ted H. and Leona (Klas) Althoff. After graduating from St. Boniface High School in New Vienna, she worked at Kerper's Store in New Vienna and then at Harrison's and Theisen's in Dyersville. She moved to Cedar Rapids in 1969 and worked in inventory control at Quik-Way and Dysert-Peck, retiring from the accounting department at The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, in 2010.

Mary was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Marion. She will be remembered always for her quick wit and sense of humor; for the care she gave to her mother for 31 years; and for the guidance and support she gave her siblings and her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Also, for her love of casinos, card games, country and polka music and phone visiting.

She is survived by her siblings and their families: Margie (Art) Nachtman of Ryan, and their family, Kenny Nachtman, Dr. Jane Nachtman (Ian Ferguson), Karen (Jim) Oppelt, Lisa (Dan) Edwards, Dennis (Sarah) Nachtman and Matt (Jill) Nachtman; Fred (Joan) Althoff of Robins, and their family, Kristine (Matt) Coulter, Dr. Keri Althoff (Dr. C. John Sperati), Amy Althoff, Erin (Dustin Hittenmiller) Althoff and Nathan Althoff; Laurie (Craig) Rogers of Rockford, Ill., and their family, Heather (Jamie) Jackman, Sarah (Steve) Schrandt and Kyle (Ashley) Rogers; Gary (Marilyn) Althoff of Earlville, and their family, Tammy (Earl) March, Shannon (Dee) Althoff and Josh Althoff; and Joyce (Mike) Wessels of Rickardsville, and their family, Brian (Amanda) Wessels, Wendy (Kyle) Askling and Anne (Matt) Delaney. Also surviving are great-nieces and great-nephews, Andy, Shane and Devon Nachtman; Jeremy and Thomas Ferguson; Madison Oppelt; Samantha, Rebecca and Kathyrn Edwards; Madeline, Abigail and Zachary Nachtman; Maximus and Layla Nachtman; Ella, Claire, Jackson, Bryn, Luke and Sam Coulter; Charleston, Eleanor and Camille Sperati; Declan and Sawyer Althoff; Michaela, Moira and Thomas Jackman; Alexa, Ryan and Jake Schrandt; Briana, Shelby and Anthony March; Aubrie and Emalynn Althoff; John, Luke, Matthew and Samantha Wessels; Haylee and Cassandra Askling and Ava Delaney.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a great- niece, Caitlin Schrandt; and her longtime friend, Ralph (Cliff) Kluesner, in 2003.

Her family deeply appreciates all those who laughed with her, enjoyed the casinos with her, and also the fellowship of ABWA and her condo association friends, who shared their time, stories and lives with Mary.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.