Mary E. Ward-Blough

Mary E. Ward-Blough, age 91 of Fairfield, passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at Mercy Medical Center in Iowa City, IA.

The Rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM, Friday, July 10, 2009 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield, with visitation with the family continuing until 8:00 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, July 11, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield, IA, with Rev. Msgr. Francis Hendricksen and Rev. Fr. Stephen Page officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to A Welcoming Family of Faith Building Fund, The Lord's Cupboard and Mass Stipends.

Mary E. Ward-Blough was born June 1, 1918 in Scranton, IA to Ira J. and Lauretta (Koppes) Holden. She graduated as Valedictorian with her Class of 1936. Following graduation, she was employed as office secretary with a Des Moines florist. She was united in marriage with Jack F. Ward January 16, 1939, and became a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. Jack preceded her in death December 3, 1978. On November 28, 1987, she married Ronald Blough, who preceded her in death January 9, 1999.

Mary was a parishioner of St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield and a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. Her memberships included P.E.O., Bridge Club, attended Stagette at the Elks, and she was a charter member of Walton Club.

She is survived by her children and their families: son David Ward of Fairfield; daughters: Rosemary (John) Hammes and Luanne (Doug) Brown, both of Richland, daughter-in-law Judith Ward of Fairfield; stepdaughters Betty Downey of Waskota, MN, Norma Seaton of Kellog, ID, and step-daughter-in-law Sheri (Dave) Blough-Neff of Fairfield. Mary was blessed with ten grandchildren: Elizabeth Summerlin, Barry Ward, Jr., Jennifer Reed, Andrew Hammes, Renee Grimm, McKensey Simpson, Tyler Brown, and Cristen Lykken and her mother Kimberly Mills; 10 great-grandchidren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous stepgrandchildren

In addition to her husbands, Mary was preceded in death by her parents; sons: Barry, Richard and Jack, Jr.; stepson Ronald Blough; and grandchildren: Kathleen Ward, Carlton Ward and Cara Ward.