Mary Salmon

Mary Salmon

Cedar Rapids

Mary Salmon, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away at the age of 90 on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at Mercy Medical Center. She was surrounded by the love and comfort of all of her children.

Mary, also known fondly as “Mary Kay” or “Natty” to her many friends and relatives, was born in Waterloo, Iowa, on April 4, 1935. Soon after completing her nursing studies, she married Lyle Natvig on June 22, 1957, in Waterloo. They lived in Waterloo and Burlington, Iowa, before settling in Cedar Rapids, where they raised their seven children. Life then was both loving and chaotic – “one big happy family” as Mary Kay used to say. That statement meant different things depending on the day! Mary and Lyle were happily married for 27 years before Lyle’s untimely passing in 1984. She found love again and married Bob Salmon in 1988. They enjoyed traveling and many wonderful lakeside adventures in their Wisconsin home. Following Bob’s death in 1996, Mary returned to Cedar Rapids.

She enjoyed a 37-year long career as a nurse, retiring from Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids in 1993. She is lovingly remembered for her kindness, deep empathy, strength, perseverance and humor (her children and grandchildren can attest to her storytelling abilities!). Mary was a devout Catholic and gave generously of her time and compassion in her many volunteer activities at the Mercy Medical Center gift shop and at St. Matthew Catholic Community in Cedar Rapids, where she was a parishioner for over 25 years.

Mary is survived by her children Helene (Dennis) Rosauer, of Urbandale; Greg (Penni) Natvig, of Tucson, Arizona; Anne Natvig, of Cedar Rapids; Dr. Paul (Julie) Natvig, of Huntersville, North Carolina; Sara (Eric) Widiger, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Ellen Natvig, of Iowa City; and Amy Natvig (Keith Waterman), of San Diego, California; her grandchildren Justin (Alisha) Natvig; Amanda (Zak) Drescher; Andrea (Mark) Romie; Dr. Brett Rosauer (Hannah Lassise); Carly Natvig; Dr. Cari Natvig (Cody Strom); Logan Natvig; 10 great-grandchildren: Kenna, Stella, Holly, Oliver, John, Hazel, Everly, Henry, Jordan, and Hallie; and Bob’s daughter, Amy Salmon.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Lyle Natvig; second husband, Bob Salmon; sister, Helen; parents, Henry and Grace (Mary) Reiss; and Bob’s sons, Chris and Mike.

A private funeral service for the immediate family was held at Teahen Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids, followed by burial at St. Joseph cemetery in Cedar Rapids. A celebration of life will be held on October 11, 2025, at St. Matthew Catholic Community, 2310 1st Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402. There will be a mass at 10 AM, followed by a luncheon at 11 AM.

You can help memorialize Mary by making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association online at alz.org or by mail to 320 Nevada St. Suite 201, Newton, MA 02460.

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