Mary F. Wiedenfeld

Mary Florence Wiedenfeld, 91, of Fort Dodge passed away on June 15, 2017 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home after a long illness. Visitation and funeral services will be on Monday, June 19, 2017 at Corpus Christi Church in Fort Dodge. The visitation with the family will begin at noon at the church, with the Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Msgr. Kevin McCoy to follow at 1:30 p.m. Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home is serving the family. Mary was born June 1, 1926 in a farmhouse near Florence, Minnesota. Her parents were Andrikus "Dick" DeWitt and Petronella "Nellie" (Overes) DeWitt who had immigrated from Holland before starting their family. Mary was the 12th of 13 children. Her parents and all her siblings - 9 brothers and 3 sisters - predeceased her. Mary attended grade school in Florence and graduated from high school in nearby Tyler, Minnesota. Mary was the first member of her family to attend high school. She later attended Edwards Business School in Sioux City. Mary met Dick Wiedenfeld in Sioux City in 1947. They were married in December 1949. They lived and raised their family in several towns in northwest Iowa where Dick coached and taught high school, eventually residing in Fort Dodge. Mary lived a full, spirited life. Primarily a stay at home mom raising four children (she worked in retail part-time after her kids were older), she was a very active supporter of the endeavors of her husband, children and grandchildren. Mary was a huge sports fan, cheering always for her favorite teams, especially when her husband or kids were playing or coaching. She also competed in golfing, bowling leagues, and duplicate bridge. Mary and Dick spent much wonderful time together on the golf courses and dance floors of central Iowa through the years when she was able. Mary was ready to try anything, from taking a riflery class with her young son to snorkeling on family vacation while in her 70's. Mary was also a member of the Marion Home Auxiliary and the Catholic Daughters of America of Holy Trinity Parish. Mary is survived by her husband of 67 years, Dick Wiedenfeld, by her son Mark (Ann) Wiedenfeld (children Grant and Laura) of Urbandale, Iowa, by her daughter Gayle (Ken) Gilbaugh (children Richard, Sarah, and Paul) of Coralville, Iowa, and by her son Gary (Kristin) Wiedenfeld (child Nick) of Waukee, Iowa, by her great-grandchildren Julia, Theo and Elle, and by numerous nephews and nieces. Mary was preceded in death by her teenage daughter Marcia who lost her life in a motor vehicle accident. In lieu of flowers or gifts, it was Mary's wish that memorials may be left to Fort Dodge St. Edmond High School or the Friends of the Fort Dodge Public Library.