Mary Stangl

Mary Giovanna Stangl was born on June 1, 1931, to Grant and Mildred (Davis) Jensen in (Hardscratch) Logan, Iowa. She attended country school in Logan and moved to Harlan in March 1941, and attended high school in Harlan, Iowa. On June 1, 1949, she was united in marriage in Harlan, Iowa to John Stangl. They made their home for a time in Harlan, briefly moved to Oregon, and then returned to Harlan before moving to Marshalltown, Iowa in 1956. They purchased their acreage southwest of Marshalltown in September 1958 where they were fortunate to have caring neighbors that looked after Mary following Johns passing. Mary enjoyed gardening and raised lambs for many years. Wood working, country music, camping, mules, coon hounds, and coon hunting were a large part of their lives. They also enjoyed attending barn dances. Mary was well known as a good cook and made wonderful baked goods and pies. Friends and guests knew that there would always be a delicious dessert of some sort served with coffee and good conversation. Mary was a longtime member of the Center Street Baptist Church. Mary moved to Avoca Assisted Living in November 2012 in Avoca, Iowa to be closer to family. Mary died on May 12, 2016 having attained the age of 84 years, 11 months, and 12 days. She was preceded in death by her husband, John, her younger brother, Byron, and her parents. She is survived by her brothers, Lowell Jensen of Crawfordsville, Indiana and Ronald Jensen and his wife Bev, of Harlan, Iowa; nieces and nephews, other family members, friends, and neighborhood friends. Funeral services celebrating her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, 2016, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband John at the Center School Cemetery near Marshalltown. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Mary and her family. A special thanks to the staff at Avoca Lodge Assisted Living and the nurses and staff of Hospice Care Initiatives. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Avoca Lodge Assisted Living in Avoca, Iowa or Center Street Baptist Church in Marshalltown, Iowa.