Memorial
Mary Ann Kathryn Schipper, 75, of Delhi, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, December 20, 2014 at Rock Ridge Care Center in Shellsburg following a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
Mary Ann Kathryn Schipper was born on May 23, 1939 in Decorah, Iowa, the daughter of Leo and Florence (Gossman) Mathews. She graduated in 1957 from Mt. Mercy Academy. On July 16, 1962, she married Virgil Holub at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, and they later divorced. Mary worked at Rockwell Collins for twenty-three years, retiring as a traffic coordinator. On September 10, 1993, Mary was united in marriage to William J. Schipper at her home in Cedar Rapids. In 1993, the couple moved to their home in Delhi, Iowa. She worked at the Penn Center in Delhi and enjoyed working with the residents with physical and mental impairments. Mary’s passion included a profound love for her flower gardens, making pies, her pet dog, Nellie and the many stray cats that came her way. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, friends, residents and staff at Unity Point Hospice and Rock Ridge Care Center.
Mary’s family includes her three children: Dr. Thomas (Marci) Holub of Solon; Terri (Kenny) Jones of Walker; and Traci (Steve) Warren of Arvada, Colorado; seven grandchildren, Matthew, Travis, Courtney, Chelsea, Conner, Brady, and Trey; one great-granddaughter, Mattie; four step-sons: Chris Schipper (Richard) of Farmington, New Mexico, Andy (Sherry) Schipper of Rockford, Michigan; Jeff (Mary) Schipper and Mark (Nelli) Schipper all of Cedar Rapids; a step-granddaughter, Catherine; and two brothers: Gene (Peggy) Mathews of Bremerton, Washington and Jerry (Lynn) Mathews of Beaumont, California.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Florence and Leo Mathews; her oldest son, Tony Holub; her husband, William J. Schipper.
Visitation will be held at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home on Friday, December 26, 2014 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service beginning at 4:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held from 10:00-11:00 am Saturday at the church. Mass of the Resurrection will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 27, 2014 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Delhi, Iowa officiated by the Father John R. Kremer. A private family inurnment will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date.
A memorial fund has been established in Mary’s name.
The family expresses sincere gratitude and appreciation to Unity Point Hospice and Rock Ridge Care Center for all the love and care Mary received.