Petersmith, Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen Petersmith, 88, of Cedar Rapids, died Oct. 13, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center. A visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 17, at Immaculate Conception Church. A private family interment will take place Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

She is survived by her three daughters, Margie Ridler of Cedar Rapids, Kate (Tom) Modzelewski of Cedar Rapids and Celee (Mike) Philipp of Milwaukee, Wis,; two sons, John (Chris) Petersmith of Cedar Rapids and Jim Petersmith of Los Angeles; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert Petersmith; and brother, Fritz Foran.

Mary Ellen Petersmith was born Sept. 13, 1923, in Estherville, Iowa, the daughter of Francis and Margaret (Howe) Foran. She was united in marriage to Robert Petersmith on June 29, 1946. Together they raised five children. Mary's greatest enjoyment was time spent with her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Food Bank.

A special thank you to Dr. Mary Ann Nelson and the Hiawatha Care Center.

Please leave a message, tribute, or memory to Mary's family on the website,  under Obituaries.

Published Oct. 15, 2011, in The Gazette