Mary Ann Coenen
January 21, 1934 — June 11, 2021
Mary Ann Elizabeth Coenen, daughter of Hugo and Augusta (Block) Schmitz, was born January 21, 1934 at her parent’s farm north of Earling, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling. She attended country school before going to St. Joseph’s Catholic School. After high school, she worked at Farner’s Department Store in Harlan, Iowa.
On November 23, 1954, Mary Ann was united in marriage to Virgil Coenen at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling. Six children were born to this union: Cheryl, Gary, Geralyn, Kevin, Ron, and Amy. Mary Ann was very active in her community, she worked at Head Start Daycare and cooked for the Earling Senior Center meal site. She started in laundry at Little Flower Haven until completing classes to become the Activities Director. She loved and cared for each and every resident. She and Virgil were instrumental in founding St. Joseph’s Parish Bingo and continued to participate every Wednesday for many years. She was a lifetime active member of St. Joseph’s Church in Earling as well as the Catholic Daughters of the Americas - 266 Court St. Katherine.
Mary Ann always had music playing, and she would play piano after church on Saturday evenings and have her family sing along. She also enjoyed reading. Her family will always remember how much she loved Christmas, made the best cinnamon rolls and was always there to support her grandchildren and great grandchildren at their activities.
In 2017, Mary Ann and Virgil moved to Harlan. In November of 2017, Mary Ann became of resident of Avoca Specialty Care in Avoca, Iowa. This is where she died on Friday, June 11, 2021, attaining the age of eighty-seven years, four months, and twenty-one days. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son Kevin Coenen, siblings Donnie Schmitz, and Jerry Schmitz.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years Virgil Coenen of Harlan, Iowa; children Cheri (Steve) Long of Harlan, Iowa; Gary (Becky) Coenen of Burlington Junction, Missouri; Geralyn (Randy) Greer of Harlan, Iowa; Ron (Mimi) Coenen of Waterloo, Iowa; Amy (Darell) Butcher of Altoona, Iowa; 17 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; siblings Arlene (Wayne) Justice of Manning, Iowa; Gail Schmitz of Avoca, Iowa; sister-in-law Sandy Schmitz of Des Moines, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
On November 23, 1954, Mary Ann was united in marriage to Virgil Coenen at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling. Six children were born to this union: Cheryl, Gary, Geralyn, Kevin, Ron, and Amy. Mary Ann was very active in her community, she worked at Head Start Daycare and cooked for the Earling Senior Center meal site. She started in laundry at Little Flower Haven until completing classes to become the Activities Director. She loved and cared for each and every resident. She and Virgil were instrumental in founding St. Joseph’s Parish Bingo and continued to participate every Wednesday for many years. She was a lifetime active member of St. Joseph’s Church in Earling as well as the Catholic Daughters of the Americas - 266 Court St. Katherine.
Mary Ann always had music playing, and she would play piano after church on Saturday evenings and have her family sing along. She also enjoyed reading. Her family will always remember how much she loved Christmas, made the best cinnamon rolls and was always there to support her grandchildren and great grandchildren at their activities.
In 2017, Mary Ann and Virgil moved to Harlan. In November of 2017, Mary Ann became of resident of Avoca Specialty Care in Avoca, Iowa. This is where she died on Friday, June 11, 2021, attaining the age of eighty-seven years, four months, and twenty-one days. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son Kevin Coenen, siblings Donnie Schmitz, and Jerry Schmitz.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years Virgil Coenen of Harlan, Iowa; children Cheri (Steve) Long of Harlan, Iowa; Gary (Becky) Coenen of Burlington Junction, Missouri; Geralyn (Randy) Greer of Harlan, Iowa; Ron (Mimi) Coenen of Waterloo, Iowa; Amy (Darell) Butcher of Altoona, Iowa; 17 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; siblings Arlene (Wayne) Justice of Manning, Iowa; Gail Schmitz of Avoca, Iowa; sister-in-law Sandy Schmitz of Des Moines, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
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