Marie Mendenhall

Marie Mendenhall, 73, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Monday, August 08, 2011, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Visitation will begin after 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 11th at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel where the family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. that evening. A private family burial will be held prior to the funeral service. The funeral service will be held Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Doug Darnold officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be given to the First Presbyterian Church to be used for children's ministries. The daughter of John and Avis (Connor) Shaffner, Avis Marie was born on March 9, 1938 in Lee County, Iowa. She attended Salem High School graduating in 1957. Following her graduation from high school on August 24, 1957, she married the love of her life, Robert "Bob" Mendenhall at the Salem Congregational Church. For many years Marie worked as a production worker at Champion Spark Plug in Burlington, Iowa. She later worked as a cook at the Mt. Pleasant Schools, and then as a counselor at Diet Center. Marie was always a homemaker extending her hospitality to many of her family's friends. Her nurturing ways have been given to many throughout the years. An active member of the First Presbyterian Church, Marie has recently served as the Children's Moment Coordinator, organizing volunteers to give lessons to the children during worship. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Women. When her boys were young, she liked teaching Sunday school. She was a past president of the local Chicauqua Chapter of Questers, and a member of the Red Hat Society, Horticulture Club, Gourmet Club and Mt. Pleasant Women's Club. Marie's highest priority was her family and their activities. She was a loving mother and wife, and a devoted grandmother. Marie enjoyed music and played the organ. She was an extensive collector of many items. An avid reader, she liked many types of books. Her favorite game was playing bridge. Along with her husband, Bob, Marie is survived by two sons, Michael (Michelle) Mendenhall of Sleepy Hollow, IL and Steven (Lori) Mendenhall of Mt. Pleasant; one sister, Margaret (Gil) Wilson of Deltona, FL; two half-sisters, Chris and Deb; a half-brother, Ronnie (Marilyn) Smithburg of Salem, IA; and three grandchildren, Karina, Reed and Riley. She is preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Fred Shaffner; and a half-brother, Raymond Smithburg.