Pence, Mary R.

Mary R. Pence, 88, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, April 7, 2011, at Hallmar after a short illness. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Monday at St. Matthew Catholic Church. The Rev. David Beckman will officiate. Entombment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday and at the church after 9:30 a.m. Monday.

Survivors include a son, Robert and his wife, Margie, of Cedar Rapids; two daughters, Cathy Pence and her husband, Dennis Murphy, of Minneapolis and Margie and her husband, Tom Bellinger, of Rochester, Minn.; a brother, Pat and his wife, Teresa Riley, of Naples, Fla.; two sisters, Martha Kelley of Los Angeles and Margaret Schmich of Milwaukee, Wis.; six grandchildren, Leslie and her husband, Mark DeGroote, Brian and his wife, Amanda Pence, Hannah, Grace, Mark and Luke Bellinger; and three great-grandchildren, Sophie DeGroote and McKenzie and Riley Pence.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Mary was born June 15, 1922, in Ottumwa, the daughter of Leo and Catherine (Gallagher) Riley. She graduated from Marycrest College in Davenport in 1944. She married Robert L. Pence on Sept. 24, 1950, in Ottumwa. He died in 2004. Mary was an office manager at Anesthesiologists P.C. for over 16 years, retiring in 1988. She was a faithful member of St. Matthew Catholic Church and enjoyed playing bridge. Mary was an avid reader and an outstanding cook.

She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Memorial donations may be given to St. Matthew Catholic Church, Mercy Medical Center or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Please leave a message or tribute Mary's family on the web page,  under obituaries.

“The family would like to thank Hallmar and Hospice of Mercy for the loving care given to Mary.”