Mary Jo Albee

Mary Jo Albee of Marshalltown died Friday morning, November 19, 2010 at home with family by her side.A memorial service will be held Monday, 1:30 p.m. November 22, 2010 at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. The family request casual dress for the funeral. There will be no visitation. For condolences please visit www.mitchellfh.com Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Mary Jo and her family. Phone 641-844-1234.Born on August 22, 1934 in Marshalltown, Iowa she was the first child born of Max and Hazel (Reiss) Paxson. Mary attended schools in Marshall and Story counties, graduating from Colo High School in 1951.Mary received her teaching degree at the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls and taught in Riceville, Dunbar and Gilman. She later attended nursing school in Marshalltown and upon obtaining her nursing degree she worked at the Marshalltown hospital and then at the Marshall County Care Facility for approximately 28 years, retiring in 1996.She was very involved with her family and loved camping trips with her grandchildren and sister at Hickory Grove campground. For several years she and her sister enjoyed trips to southern Texas.Following retirement Mary was very active volunteering with various community services, including Southridge Nursing home and the Marshalltown Cancer Support Group. She was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church.Left to cherish her memories are her sons: Lennie (Dixie) Carkhuff of Laurel, Chris (Kim) Carkhuff and Max Carkhuff of Marshalltown, 9 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by her sister Bonnie Mitchell of Cedar Falls, Peggy Weuve of Marshalltown and brother Richard Paxson of Marshalltown. In death Mary rejoins her parents.