Mary E. Grahlman

Mary E. Grahlman

Mary E. Grahlman, 72, of Sumner, died Friday, August 1, 2014, at her rural Sumner home.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2014, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Chapel in Hawkeye. Interment will follow at Bethel Cemetery, rural Hawkeye. Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 4^th at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Hawkeye and for one hour preceding services at the chapel on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to Cedar Valley Hospice or Northeast Iowa Antique Engine Club.

Mary Eleanor, daughter of Edward and Martha Heaps Armstrong, was born March 29, 1942, at Baltimore, Maryland. In 1960, she graduated from North Caroline High School in Ridgely, Maryland and Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa in 1972. She was united in marriage with Walter Griffin in 1961. Three children were born to this union, Rebecca, Kathleen, and Shawn. On December 29, 1984, Mary was married to Mitchell Grahlman at rural Sumner, Iowa. She served as Secretary of the Fayette County Democratic Party from 1972 to 1978, and ran for Fayette County Recorder in 1974. She served as Activities Director at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in West Union, and worked as a librarian at Fayette Community, Valley Community, and North Fayette Community Schools prior to retiring in 1986. She later owned and operated the Sumner Bakery for a brief time. Mary enjoyed gardening and was a member of the Trailblazers Snowmobile Club.

In addition to her husband, Mitchell of rural Sumner, she is survived by three children, Rebecca (Robert) Haley of St. Joseph, Missouri, Kathleen (Hank) Anzis of Marshalltown, and Dr. Shawn (Katherine) Griffin of Missouri City, Texas; three step daughters, Danette (Timothy) Cronin and Kelli (Thomas) Paulsen, both of Marion, and Leslie (Richard) Usher of New Hampton; nineteen grandchildren; one brother, Phillip (Maggi) Armstrong of Cortland, Ohio; and one sister, Barbara (Warren) Baity of Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; one grandson; one sister; and one niece.

Pat Brant Spinella on August 23, 2014 at 5:26 AM said:

Mitch, every once in a while I look at the waterloo Courier obituaries to see if I know any one. I am living in Connecticut. I was saddened to see that you have lost your wife Mary. She sounds like a woman I would have enjoyed knowing! Please accept my deepest sympathy....

Connie & Ron Schlatter on August 8, 2014 at 10:33 AM said:

Dear Mitch and family; Sending our sincere sympathy to the entire family. I feel very sad at the news of her death.
I got to know Mary quite well after my sister Patricia Bindert died. For a time, Mary e-mailed often
with words of encouragement and Christian caring. Then the e-mails stopped. We all get busy and distance
was another factor as I lived in Bel Aire Kansas. I only hoped she knew how much she helped me during my loss.
Mitch, consider this a huge hug in caring.

Lynn on August 5, 2014 at 12:22 PM said:

My deepest condolences to the family on the loss of your loved one. When we lose someone we love in death, the pain, grief, and feelings of helplessness can seem unbearable. But remember that the Almighty God sees your tears, he feels your pain. He also promises by means of his kingdom (Dan 2:44) there will be time when "death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore" (Rev 21:3,4) So until then, he will continue with you to comfort and sustain you through this very difficult time. (Psalms 55:22 )

Todd Rowley on August 4, 2014 at 8:14 AM said:

Becky, Kathy, and Shawn - I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. Many of my fondest childhood memories include your mother and your family (door to door campaigning, chopping corn out of bean fields, endless movies, Dr. Pepper, and lots of laughs). I will never forget my time with Momma G. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers…

Elaine Reicks on August 2, 2014 at 7:47 PM said:

Becky, Kathy, Shawn, and Mitch, you have my sympathy. I am remembering all the fun times while teaching with Mary at Fayette and smiling. Terri Kuethe and I enjoyed Mary's friendship.

Bobbie Batiy on August 1, 2014 at 6:58 PM said:

Heaven has welcomed our precious Polly.
Sending prayers for Mitch and all the family
with Love.

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