Mary Dicus

Mary Arnette Dicus, 83, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2026, at UnityPoint St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids. A celebration of life for Mary will be from 11 am – 4 pm on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Crooked Antler, 107 Main Street, Van Horne, Iowa 52346.  Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.

Mary was born on April 19, 1942, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Louis and Virginia Saloom. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1959. On March 19, 1961, she married John Daniel Dicus. Mary spent most of her life dedicated to caring for her home and her family. She worked for a time for Emerson’s Discount and CRST, but was most known as the “Cake Lady”. For 30 years, Mary made cakes for every occasion for families to celebrate milestones in their lives. She also loved baking other treats and adding her famous baked beans to every menu.

Mary enjoyed living a simple life with those she loved. She enjoyed watching the butterflies around her yard, summer feeder visits from the hummingbirds, and having coffee in the morning with the gang at Panera Bread. Her gentle spirit will be missed by those who loved her.

Survivors include her husband, John Daniel Sr.; sons, John (Rhonda) Daniel Dicus II and Dave (Tami) Dicus; granddaughters, Morgan Dicus and Alicia (Casey) Premo; great grandchildren, Skylar and A. Jay; and siblings, Jenny (Mike) Palumbo and Chris Hoffon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, John Daniel III; great grandson, C.J. Premo; sister, Bonnie Talert; and niece, Caroline Forsythe.