Mary Sue "Sam" Halter

Mary S. Halter, known to all as Sam, age 78, of rural Rhodes, passed away on the morning of Thursday, December 14th, at the Story County Medical Center. She took the hand of her grandson Ryan that morning at 2:38 a.m.

A memorial gathering will be held from 4-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 19th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Memorials may be directed to her family.

Born Mary Sue Vint on October 6th, 1945, she was the daughter of Howard and Betty (Seim) Vint. She graduated from the Marshalltown High School’s Class of 1964.

On June 21st, 1968, in Omaha, she was united in marriage to James Halter. They made their home in Melbourne until moving to the family farm previously occupied by his parents in 1980. They raised their family of three children there.

Sam taught at the Crayonville Preschool in Melbourne for many years before becoming librarian at the Melbourne Library. Her passion for the library led her to encourage the building and public support of the new library. When grandchildren appeared in her future, she left the library and started working at Hy-Vee in the camera department and then customer service area. She had a strong work ethic and love of her family, reading, watching birds and making a trip (or two) to the casino. Sam was supportive of her home communities in many groups and functions and was one of the first ladies invited to be a member of the Melbourne Lions Club (traditionally all men).

She will be greatly missed by her husband of 55 years, James; her three children: Tawnya (Jason) Fisher of Marshalltown, Joel Halter of Melbourne and Adam (Amy) Halter of Melbourne; six grandchildren; four bonus grandchildren; her brothers- Larry (Vicky) Vint of DeKalb, IL, Jon (Beth) Vint of Springfield, MO; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In death, she rejoined her parents, her grandson Ryan, brothers Bill and Tom Vint and sister Judi Himes.