Mary Wallace

Celebration of Life Services: Will be held on Monday, May 27, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenfield with burial in the Old Union Cemetery, rural Orient. A luncheon will be held at the church immediately following the service at the church. 

Open Visitation: Will be held on Sunday, May 26, 2019, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenfield from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Family Visitation: The family will greet friends on Sunday, May 26th, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenfield from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Memorials: Memorials may be directed to the Mary Wallace memorial fund to be established by the family. 

Mary Joan (Mangels) Wallace was born October 14, 1930 to Henry and Elizabeth (Weber) Mangels on the Mangels farm in Adair County. She was reborn through the sacrament of Holy Baptism on Nov. 30, 1930 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenfield and reaffirmed her baptismal vows through the Rite of Confirmation at the Immanuel Lutheran Church on June 4, 1944. Her confirmation verse was Psalms 27.1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” She passed away on May 19, 2019 at the age of 88 years.

Mary married Harold Wallace on September 8, 1947 at Hiawatha, Kansas. The Lord blessed them with four sons: Douglas Allen, Teddy Merle, Mark Anthony, and Kurt Alison.

In March of 1948, Harold and Mary rented a farm in Summerset Township south of Fontanelle and farmed there for 12 years. In March of 1960, they moved to a 220-acre farm known as the Dr. Nassen farm. Mary and Harold purchased a 120-acre farm from George and Elda Brewer in 1970. In 1973, they purchased a 160-acre farm from Charles and Wilma Griffin. Harold and Mary purchased a home in Greenfield and retired from farming in 1987. Mary worked at the Greenfield Manor from 1982-1988 and Greenfield Elementary as a custodian from 1988-1997.

Mary was a lifelong member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and was very active in her church, the LWML Women’s Organization, and taught Sunday school, confirmation classes and helped with Time Out for Jesus. Mary enjoyed playing cards and was a member of four card clubs.

Mary was known as an excellent cook and baker. She painstakingly tried to teach her grandchildren how to make her noodles and rolls that were always a family favorite. However, Mary’s were always so much better. She had magic in her cooking that couldn’t be duplicated. Family dinners created lots of cherished memories. When Mary lived on the farm, she was known for her huge, impressive garden. The picking of strawberries always resulted in a strawberry pie being made. Grandma Mary will always be remembered for her willingness to play card and board games and reading Bible stories to her grandchildren. Mary enjoyed going for walks with Carver and her walking friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold in 2012; brothers, Gene Mangels and Francis Mangels; sister, Twilah Sturdy; grandson, Gregory C. Wallace; sisters-in-law, Faye Mangels, Donna Wallace, Joann Wallace and Rose Ann Wallace; and brothers-in-law, Harley Wallace, Herschel Wallace, Harvey Wallace and Dale Sturdy.

She is survived by four sons, Doug (Jenice) of Greenfield, Ted (Becky) of Greenfield, Mark (Lori) of Greenfield, and Kurt (Lynne) of Mount Ayr; grandchildren: Jennifer (Matthew) Madsen, Tim (Sheila) Wallace, Gina (Bob) School, Bridget (Josh) Sickles, Dusty (Rachel) Wallace, Danica Wallace, Alex Wallace, and Allison Wallace; and 13 great grandchildren; brother, Robert (Barb) Mangels of Beaman, sister-in-law, Eldeen Stewart of Greenfield; her dog, Carver and other relatives and friends.

Special thanks to the caring people of Every Step Hospice for her care in her home and during her stay at Hospice House in Creston.

The family of Mary Wallace wishes to express their gratitude for all acts of kindness shown to them in their time of sorrow and invites you to share in a luncheon served at the Immanuel Lutheran Church following the service.