Mary Null

MARY RUDISH NULL

Marion

Mary Rudish Null, a child of God, went home to be with Jesus and her loved ones on Feb. 13, 2015, at Hallmar at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids.

Surviving to honor Mary's memory are her daughter, Marie A. Read; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Mary was born March 12, 1920, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of George Rudish and Rose Pospisil Rudish. Mary lived in the Marion area for all of her life, except for a brief period of time during World War II when she traveled to New Jersey and California to be near her husband, Marvin, until he was sent overseas to serve in the U.S. Army in the European Theater. Mary returned home to the farm, taking care of her mother and grandmother and helping them farm during World War II. She also worked in the inventory department at Wilson and Co. during the war.

Mary put her faith and trust in God, believed in living simply and working hard. She was a good steward of the land and took the utmost care of her livestock. She planted many pine and cedar trees with the help of her grandsons, and together they watched them grow. Mary farmed organically before it was in vogue. Her garden and fruit trees were always bountiful, and she never wasted any aspect of her harvest. Mary's flower gardens were radiant with beauty from spring to fall.

Mary watched nature unfold, watched the earth awaken, saw the woodlands carpeted with bluebells, hunted for mushrooms in the spring, and delighted in the fragrance of newly mown alfalfa and red clover, and looked forward to cooking for family, friends and neighbors when they came to bale hay. It was a celebration of community and of the harvest.

Mary will be remembered for being an excellent cook, baker and hostess.

Mary taught Sunday school for many years at First United Methodist Church in Marion. She was a Blue Bird, Campfire and Cub Scout leader. Mary enjoyed listening to the Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball games on the radio, cheering the Hawks on, always being optimistic in their ability to win. She was a true and loyal fan.

Mary enjoyed musical theater productions at Hancher, and traveled with her daughter to many countries in Europe, and especially enjoyed the Czech Republic, where her grandmother came from. She enjoyed traveling to Alaska and traveling by train across Canada to Vancouver.

Mary's greatest love was her family; she watched them grow and blossom. Mary will be greatly missed, forever loved, and her memory will remain in our hearts forever.

Rest in Peace, until we meet again.

The Pasture

I'm going out to clean the pasture spring;

I'll only stop to rake the leaves away

(And wait to watch the water clear, I may):

I sha'n't be gone long. – You come too.

I'm going out to fetch the little calf

That's standing by the mother. It's so young,

It totters when she licks it with her tongue.

I sha'n't be gone long. – You come too.

("North of Boston" by Robert Frost, 1915)

A private memorial service was held for Mary on Feb. 16 at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. A private celebration of Mary's life will be at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be given in Mary's name to the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedar memorial.com.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Hallmar at Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Hospice for the love and compassionate care given to Mary.