Mary Elizabeth Henry

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Mary Elizabeth Henry, age 88, of Anaheim, California, formerly of Keota, passed away on March 16, 2012 after a brief illness.

Born Mary Elizabeth Flander on June 19, 1923 in Keota, Iowa, Mary was one of five children born to Peter J. and Elizabeth A. Flander (Redlinger). She was preceded in death by her husband Ivan Eugene Henry, both parents, siblings Francine Romine, Bernard Flander, Martha England and first husband Harold W. See.

Mary is survived by her brother Peter J. (Stibe) Flander and wife Karyl of Keota; 4 children and their spouses: Ronald and Sherry See of Westminster, CA, Roger and Susan See of Orange, CA, Russell and Donna Henry of Folsom, CA and Rebecca (Henry) Hall and John of Trabuco Canyon, CA.; grandchildren Elizabeth (See) Goodrow and husband Doug, Brian See, Tara Henry, Rian Henry and wife Sarah, Allison See, Chandler Hall, Blake See, Cody Hall, Collin See, Thomas Toland and wife April and Tina Larocca; great grandchildren Brandon Vellandi, Bridgette Goodrow, Christian Henry and Griffin Toland.

Born and raised in Keota, Mary was the quintessential small town girl. Her father died when Mary was young and she and her brothers and sisters were raised a good part of their early lives by their strong willed mother, Lizzy Flander. During the depression she often said they ate every part of the pig but the “oink”. She was an excellent academic student throughout her school years in Keota, played in the band and was proud of her time at Keota High.

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Mary moved to Long Beach, California in 1950 along with many other Iowans after World War II. By 1955 her family had grown and it was time again to move. This time it was to the “country” in Anaheim, California in 1955. It was also the year that Disneyland opened a couple of miles down the road and we all know what happened after that.

Mary loved her family more than anything in her life. She loved watching her kids, grandkids and great grandkids participate in a variety of sports over the years. Basketball was her favorite. She was so proud that all of her four children went on to graduate from college and become successful in their careers. Once her children had grown, she traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Highlights of her travels included a European trip to England, Germany, Austria, and Italy. While in Rome she took communion at a mass in the Vatican which was one of her lifetime highlights. She also visited her German heritage homeland and enjoyed drinking some beers at the real Oktoberfest in Munich. Another trip she enjoyed tremendously was to Hawaii with all of her children and many of her grandchildren. She enjoyed multiple fishing trips over the years, too. In between the family events and traveling, Mary would occasionally venture off to a casino in Las Vegas, Laughlin or other parts of the country. She didn’t miss too many of them on her road trips during her travelling years.

Mom was the anchor of our family and will be missed more than words could ever say. She will forever be in our hearts. We are all so grateful and fortunate to have had such a wonderful person for a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mom, we will all miss you and we all love you very much!

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 26 at Holy Trinity Church in Keota, Iowa. Burial will be at the Keota cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 25 at Powell Funeral Home in Keota.

A memorial fund has been established for the American Diabetes Association. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Mary and her family. Condolences may be e-mailed at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.


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