Mary Wolrab

Mary Ellison Wolrab of Mount Vernon, Iowa, died on Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at Higley Mansion, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was 99. Born April 26, 1916, to Otis and Mary Kramer Ellison on a farm near Mount Vernon, Mary grew to womanhood among a family of six siblings. She was united in marriage to Milo Wolrab on September 20, 1933. Mary and Milo made their home on a farm south of Mount Vernon known as Wayside Farms. For many years they raised purebred Berkshire hogs and Angus cattle. Well-known for showing livestock as state and national expositions, they won many blue ribbons and championships. In the nearly two decades after Milo's death, she personally managed the homestead and grain productions at Wayside. Mary enjoyed the outdoors, especially gardening. She tended a full array of vegetables, a strawberry patch, apple trees, and flowers including a large American flag planted in colorful red, white, and blue petunias. Although preferring field work to housekeeping, she was noted for baking delicious kolaches and making superb caramel candy which became holiday traditions. Mary was a founding member of Friendship Club and very active in Questors, a social circle focused on antiques. She is survived by her children, Joanne Karns of Cedar Rapids, Michael (Sandra) Wolrab of Mount Vernon, and Vincent (Ardyce) Wolrab of Cedar Rapids; 13 grandchildren; and 23 great grandchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Myron, Florence, Gordon, Harlan, Doris, and Arlo. As per Mary's wishes, there will be a private burial at the Mount Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon. The family would like to thank Higley Mansion for the loving and skilled nursing care while she resided there and Hospice of Mercy for their compassionate assistance. Memorials may be directed to Higley Mansion or Hospice of Mercy.