Mary Frees

MARY A. FREES

Iowa City

Mary A. Frees, 81, of Iowa City, passed away Friday, March 3, 2017.

Funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, March 6, with a time of visitation before the service from 4 p.m. until the service, at Gay & Ciha Funeral Service in Iowa City. Family interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Newport Township.

Memorials may be made to the Mary Frees Memorial Fund.

Memories and online condolences can be shared with her family at www.gayandciha.com.

Mary Ann Griffin was born Jan. 26, 1936, in her family home in Solon, Iowa. She graduated from Solon High School and attended beauty school in Cedar Rapids. She worked over 50 years as a beautician in Solon.

Mary married Francis Steinbrech, and together they had two children: Debra and David. Years later, in January 1986, Mary was united in marriage to Robert Frees. Together Mary and Bob shared their love for Hawkeye athletics, tailgating at football games and attending many events until Bob's death in 2007.

Mary's love for the Hawks never dwindled, frequently listening on the radio or TV. She also was a longtime supporter of the Chicago Cubs. For many years, Mary also had baked for the Iowa City Farmers Market, sharing her kolaches with many in the area.

She was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and National Catholic Society of Foresters.

Her family includes her children, Debra Kabela and her husband, Don, of Solon and David Steinbrech and his wife, Naomi, of Solon; grandchildren, David Brown of Cedar Rapids, Monica Steinbrech and her husband, Giovanni Wuisan, of Epworth and Molly Jo Steinbrech of Solon; and her great-grandchildren, Gianna, Hudson and Nola.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bob; and an infant sister.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Mary's family and her services.