Mary Grace Mayer

MARY GRACE MAYER Iowa City Mary Grace Mayer, 88, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, of Iowa City and formerly of Keota, passed peacefully at her home on Thursday, March 8, 2018. Mary Grace was born Dec. 21, 1929, in rural Keota, the daughter of Harry and Iva (Lenninger) Heisdorffer, and graduated from Keota High School. On Aug. 26, 1950, she was united in marriage to William Mayer at St. Mary Catholic Church in Keota. She worked with her husband in their business, Service By Mayer Service Station, in Keota until retirement in 1986. Mary Grace enjoyed traveling and experiencing all that life had to offer. She was an avid learner and took senior classes through the university. She had love and passion for her faith, family and friends. Her family was her legacy, and she savored every part of life. Everyone called her "Grandma Gracie" and loved her. For several years, she wrote a column for the Keota Eagle newspaper called "Bird Notes." She was a member of the Fortnightly Club, Catholic Daughters, Questers and Garden Club in Iowa City. Survivors include six children and their spouses, Jacquelyn (Stan) Herr of Robins, Jennifer (Curtis) Bell of Keota, Jerilyn (John Merrill) Klein of Keota, Janelle (Bill) Kamerling of Lisbon, Janie (Matthew) Hahn of Keota and Joseph Christopher Mayer of Ankeny; 21 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren who she considered her "cherubs"'; and sister, Claudine Erwin of Keota. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill (Snapper) in 1996; sons. John Harry Mayer and infant James William Mayer; infant daughter, Jill Kathleen Mayer; grandson, Elijah James Hahn; and brother, Arden. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14, at Holy Trinity Parish, St. Mary Catholic Church in Keota, with the Rev. Charles Fladung officiating. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemeteries, St. Mary Cemetery in Keota. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13, at Powell Funeral Home in Keota, where there will be a rosary and wake service at 4 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for the Keota Veterans Memorial, Wilson Memorial Library and Holy Trinity Altar and Rosary Society. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Mary Grace and her family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.