Mary Edna Lantow

Mary Edna Lantow, age 88, of Fredericksburg, IA, died Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at Accura Healthcare of New Hampton.

Memorial Service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 21, 2026 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg with Pastor Ronnie Koch celebrating the service. Inurnment will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg following the service with Ashley and Nathan Lantow serving as Honorary Urnbearers.

Friends may greet the family from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg prior to the service.

Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Fredericksburg has been entrusted with arrangements.

Mary Edna Lantow was born on May 16, 1938, in Clermont, Iowa, to Eben and Ruby (Wickham) Pierce.

Mary attended rural country schools and graduated from Alpha High School on her 18th birthday, May 16, 1956. Following graduation, she spent the summer working as a nanny in Rochester, Minnesota, before attending Upper Iowa University for a short time that fall.

In 1957, while attending a dance in Hawkeye, Iowa, Mary met Raymond Lantow. The two quickly became best friends, and on June 29, 1958, they were married at Alpha Methodist Church.

The couple began their married life in Fredericksburg before moving to a farm near Sumner, Iowa, where they farmed and milked cows. In February 1962, they moved to the family “home place” one mile north of Fredericksburg. There, they continued farming, milking cows, and raising hogs while building a life centered on faith, family, and hard work.

Mary and Raymond were blessed with three children: Cindy, Harold, and Glen. While Raymond often worked away from home, Mary faithfully managed the household and the farm. She loved life in the country, enjoyed working outdoors, and took great pride in raising a large garden.

In their later years, Mary and Raymond moved into Fredericksburg. She continued to enjoy gardening and caring for her flowers, and she especially loved mowing the lawn, taking great pride in keeping it beautifully maintained. Baking was another of Mary’s passions, with homemade bread being one of her specialties. She also enjoyed knitting, creating countless little “scrubbies” that she lovingly gave as gifts to family and friends. Mary’s generous heart was evident in the thoughtful ways she shared with others. She cherished time spent with family and friends and always looked forward to coffee and fellowship with friends in Alpha.

Mary will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Cindy Lantow of Fredericksburg, Iowa; her son, Harold (Karen) Lantow of Nashua, Iowa; her granddaughter, Ashley Lantow (Matt Wurzer) of Fredericksburg; her grandson, Nathan (Lexi) Lantow of Fredericksburg; her great-grandchildren, Quincy, Shay, and Grady Kasemeier; Alex Wurzer; Sophia, Kaedence, Mariah, Leighton, and Tate Lantow; her sisters, Carol Schulz and Betty Sternat; and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Lantow; her son, Glen Lantow; her parents, Eben and Ruby Pierce; her parents-in-law, Herman and Lena Lantow; siblings Carlton Pierce, George Pierce, Ruth Barth and many family members who all held a special place in Mary’s heart.

Mary’s life was a beautiful example of kindness, generosity, and quiet strength. Her love for her family, her devotion to her home, and the joy she found in life’s simple blessings will be remembered always.

Memorials may be directed to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Fun in the Son Daycare & Preschool, or Alpha Cemetery.

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