Mary Mussehl
June 1, 1923 ~ September 28, 2011
Mary E. Mussehl age 88 of Mason City, formerly of Nashua died Wednesday evening, September 28, 2011, at the I.O.O.F. Home in Mason City.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 3, 2011, at St. John Lutheran Church, Nashua with Pastor Thomas Hagen officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Nashua, with Brent Wood, Troy Wood, Nicole Molencamp, Sara Soto, Zachary Taylor and Paul Taylor serving as pallbearers.
Friends may greet the family an hour prior to the funeral at the church on Monday. Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home in Nashua is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Elizabeth Mussehl was born June 1, 1923, in Cedarville, IL, the daughter of Charles L. and Clara H. (Peifer) Strohecker. She graduated high school in 1941. Mary attended the University of Dubuque where she met her future husband, Robert J. Mussehl. They were married at the University of Dubuque Chapel on July 9, 1943. Mary started her teaching career in a country school. After the war she moved to Nashua with her husband where she taught junior high and they settled there for nearly 60 years.
Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who had the patience of Job. She was very creative and enjoyed ceramics, painting and many crafts. She was an avid reader and was very involved in the expansion of the Nashua Public Library where she had served on the board. Mary also enjoyed playing bridge. She was a long-time member of P.E.O. and the Order of the Eastern Star. After she and Bob raised their three daughters, she taught in Plainfield for 18 years. She continued her education and received her B.A. Degree from Wartburg College in 1973.
Survivors include her husband of 68 years, Robert J. Mussehl of Mason City; three daughters, Susan (Paul) Taylor of Zwingle, IA, Ann Wood of Mason City, Sally Staveley (Gary Hoffmann of Dyersville; five grandchildren, Troy Wood, Brent Wood, Nicole Molencamp, Sara Soto and Zachary Taylor; three great-grandchildren, Carson, Autumn and Zhane; one brother, Paul C. (Sondra) Strohecker of Tallula, IL.
She was preceded in death by her parents and five brothers, Berton, Karl, Robert, Richard and John Strohecker.
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I am so sorry that I was unable to attend Aunt Mary’s funeral, but am glad that I could attend Uncle Bob’s. They are out of pain and together now, a blessing for them.
My deepest sympathies to all of you, especially, you, Bob. I have wonderful, happy memories of all of you. Mary was a kind, gentle, sweet soul. I know that you will have a huge emply place in your hearts and lives. With love and deepest sympathy, Jean (Ferguson) Heady-Spahr
My deepest sympathy to all the family. May you all find comfort and peace in knowing she is with our Savior.Mary was a very nice person and know she will be missed.Hang on to your memories. Sandy Hicok Miller
Aunt Mary was such a loving, kind, generous person. We still have the little art easel that I know Uncle Bob and Aunt Mary made for my sister and I one Christmas. Ditto everything Kris said about our Aunt–she will be missed. I know my Herbie was there to greet her when she arrived in heaven. How great that he got to see her as she was in earlier years–healed and out of pain and able to speak again! You will all be in my heart and prayers today during the funeral and in the hard days to come. Glad Kris can be there to represent the rest of us who can’t. Love, your Cousin Jean
Ann and family: You are in my thoughts and prayers today.May the God of all comfort keep you in the palm of his hand.
I have many wonderful memories of my dear Aunt Mary! She was a great cook and made many delicious meals for our family. I can still hear her great laugh and see her smiling face as she prepared these meals. I know that Mary touched the lives of the many children that she taught over the years. I will always treasure the Santa mug that she made for me when I was young, as well as a children’s dinner plate with my name on it. My favorite Christmas decoration is a Santa platter that Mary made for my mother. Not only did Mary love ceramics, I think she loved sharing her talent even more. In later years, even though she had health issues, she always had a smile on her face. Mary will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her. We can all be thankful for the many memories that she left us with. Kris (Mussehl) Oldson
I am so sorry for your loss. Mary must have been a very special woman who was very good to her family. I know she was an important part of helping Brent be the good man that he is today.
Dear Sally, Ann and Sue, Aunt Mary was one of the kindest and loving people I have ever known. She was always wise beyond her years and I can still hear her delightful laugh! I could write a book with all of the fond childhood memories I have of coming to Nashua and Lake Shore Drive and staying with your family during the summers! She was a treasure. I learned many things from her, that I hold dear to this day. I love you all and will see you Monday.
Just a note to say how sorry we are of your Moms’ passing.Give your Dad our prayers from all of us down here.Everyone has been notified & send their best to your Dad & you, Sally,Ann & Susan. Margie Strohecker Snyder
So Sorry to hear of the loss of Mary. I remember Happy visits to Mary & Bob’s home with my Dad and Mom (Richard and Mae Strohecker). She will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will always treasure the little ceramic house she made just for me with my name over the door, the same way my father always treasured the one she made for him many years before. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with You. Dan Strohecker
Bless you Mrs. Mussehl! Thank you for reading to us in 3rd grade and for having SO much patience. You are a shining example of what a teacher should be. Rest in peace. Stephanie Hartmann PHS 1982
I’m so sorry to hear about Mrs. Mussehl’s passing. I remember her from my days at Plainfield when she was a teacher. I never had her for a teacher but I remember how much she loved teaching and her students. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
Ann – I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. I wish you strength at this difficult time and hoping that in time only wonderful memories of your time with her will remain. Judy, Guilderland (Albany), New York
Your mother was a very nice person. Always a joy to be with. May God give you His peace at this time. Love, Peggy Drake in Burkina Faso, Wesr Africa