Mary Morgan
August 3, 1954 ~ October 20, 2019
Mary Etta (Ard) Morgan, 65, of Mechanicsville, died at home on Sunday, October 20, 2019. Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2019, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon, by Reverend Andrew Awotwe-Mensah. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. on Friday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon. Private family burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery/Stark Family Settlement Cemetery, rural Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include her husband, Denny of Mechanicsville; children, Devon (Nikki) Morgan of Mount Vernon, and Denna Morgan of Des Moines; grandchildren, Jack and Aaron; brother, Steven (Patricia) Ard of Hubbard, Ohio; nephew, Patrick Ard of Hubbard, Ohio; niece, Danielle DeSandis of Austin, Texas; many close cousins; and her four-legged companions, Homer and Hilde.
Mary was born August 3, 1954, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Russell and Emma (Stark) Ard. She married Denny Morgan on August 23, 1980. They were partners in owning and operating Morgan Funeral & Cremation Choices for many years. Mary was the driving force behind the success of the business, including the design of and building of the new funeral home in Mount Vernon. She also performed many funeral, memorial, and wedding services as a Celebrant with her comforting personality and care for families.
Mary will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed being near the water, especially lakes and oceans. This is where she was the most relaxed and at peace. At home, she loved taking care of her family and her dogs, and watching the old westerns. Mary was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church where she used to sing in the choir, and acted as a Eucharistic minister at Hallmark Care Center. She was also very proud of her family heritage.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorials are suggested to the Mechanicsville Fire & Ambulance Department. 100 E 1st Street, Mechanicsville, Iowa 52306.
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My thoughts of Mary are as a very concerned & caring helper when going through a loss. She always had many suggestions to help get through possible kinks in the service. I hated hearing Mary was sick & then they sold the business, but they knew what they were doing. My heart goes out to my 1967 classmate, Denny, and his children. God Bless.
My condolences to Denny, Steve and the extended family. Mary was a shining light in the Mt. Vernon community.
Mary’s laughter lite up the room. When we would have lunch together at Subway with another dear friend Beth Smith who has also left this life, they would have to ask us to “tone it down a bit”, she would just laugh and laugh over someone telling her and Beth to tone down. Mary had a beautiful smile and a compassionate heart. Denny, Devon(Nikk) , Denna and her brother Steve may God help you in your loss and my our prayers heal your heart over time. May the angels take you into paradise Mary Etta Ard Morgan. Until we meet again!
Dear Mary! Always the comforting rock for our family with the many losses we endured over 7 months……. You were the bet! Denny & Family, my most sincere condolences to you all. Di Neal
Denny and Family – sorry to hear of your loss. Wishing you peace and reflection on fond memories. Ed Fordyce
My heart is broken! The islands, the adventures, stealing oranges, carrying buckets of fish, the sharks, our first queen trigger fish, Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar. I will never, ever forget our adventures! I hope the angels are ready for your big personality!
Denny, Sending our most sincere condolences to you and your family. Gary and Rose Biderman
Denny and family, We are so sorry to hear about Mary’s passing. Mary will be missed by many. May God wrap his arms around you and the family at this time and help to comfort you at this time.
Denny and family, I was shocked to learn of Mary’s passing. She was such an icon and everyone loved her. She has helped my family thru a lot of hard times and deaths. She was very good at what she did and people felt so comfortable with her. Mary was a very understanding lady. We talk of the times you and Mary would stop by our home and share conversations and a cool drink…..and laugh, oh my gosh, who can ever forget her laugh. She sure will be remembered for that. Denny, I hope you will do ok and like I told you, please stop by when you feel like it. We will turn the heat down. Mary will be missed by many and we all have our own special memories of that wonderful lady. Blessings to you all, Annamae
I’m very sorry for your loss. Mary was a very special person. She always talked to me like an adult in my youth and made me feel included. I would get so excited for any visits we would have with her because she had such a fun personality and sense of humor. God bless you, Mary.💛
Always enjoyed working with Mary and Denny when I played for services. She was a great lady! Sorry for your loss.
I had a lot of fun with my cousin Mary Etta when we were young. She was 2 years younger and we liked a lot of the same things. She visited my place and we ran all over the farm and explored the barns and buildings. We rode pretend horses with saddles mounted on stanchions and had exciting and riotous adventures only brave young heroines on imaginary steeds could have. Sometimes we went to a movie in town, we had a sleep over, read diaries, and I adored her lavender room. We went to the fair, stumbled through the pitch black haunted house, ate too much junk food, and rode the merry-go-round. I talked her into going on the ferris wheel although she wasn’t too sure about it. She was glad she did though, it wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be. We saw the Baja Marimba Band and got their autographs, we thought we were in heaven. We once went horse back riding at SugarBottom and the adventurous Mary Etta led us into the woods on a path that turned steep and slippery. I was scared, but somehow she got we two novice riders out of the woods just fine. I know all of you, Mary’s family, will miss her terribly. Terry Stark
Dear Denny, Devon, Denny and family, It is with much sadness that I just learned of Mary’s passing from this world. I am so sorry for your loss. She was always a delight and I treasured my conversations with her. Her infectious laugh and easy smile will be happily remembered as much as her gift to comfort others in times of sorrow. So, now I send you love, hugs and prayers for strength, peace and comfort.
Hi Denny Was shocked to read of Mary’s death. I always appreciated the thoughtfulness that you and Mary extended to me ! May she Rest In Peace Your friend Susan Brosh Scott Loudon TN