Mary Dean

Mary Dean, 92, of Mediapolis, passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at Bickford of Burlington.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 5, 2023 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Mediapolis.   Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at the funeral home.   Burial will be at Shinar Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Pleasant Grove.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com. 

Mary Helen Dean was born on December 20, 1930, the daughter of Ruth Marie Tieman.    On October 13, 1948, Mary was united in marriage to Robert N. Dean.  Mary was a school bus driver for Mediapolis Community School District for 20+ years.  She was a member of the Centenary Methodist Church in Morning Sun, Eastern Star Chapter of Mediapolis and was the Worthy Matron along with the other positions of the chapter.   Mary was an avid card player, loved bowling on the Wednesday morning league in Burlington, and loved to fish.  Every pond or lake she saw, she would always comment “that looks like a good place to fish.” 

Grandma/Great Gram always loved watching her grandkids and great grandkids in their sports or whatever else they were involved in.   She was everybody’s biggest fan.  Mom was the best hugger.  She was always giving hugs when needed and even just because she liked to.  Everyone always felt better after receiving a hug from her.

Mary will be deeply missed by her children, Edie Whitaker (Randy) of Hickory, KY, Sonny Dean (Ellen) of Morning Sun, Iowa, David Dean (Debby) of Marshall, TX, Babe Dean (Mark Knippling) of Hazel, South Dakota and Debbie Swan (Terry) of Libertyville, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren and the 3rd on the way; special cousin-sister, Sharon Weyrick Fangman of Burlington and of course, her special furry friend Benji, who stayed by her side constantly. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; mother, Ruth; several aunts and uncles; special parents, Charles and Ruth (Mommy) Bowman and special brother, John Bowman. 

Special thanks to the whole staff at Bickford of Burlington who adopted mom these last few years and treated her with love, respect and kindness. She would always refer to them as “my special kids.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be established for the Centenary Methodist Church of Morning Sun, Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice or Mary B’s Dementia unit of Bickford of Burlington.  Mail to Deb Swan at 2715 Eastwood Avenue Libertyville, Iowa 52567 or any family member if preferred. 

And in remembrance of Mom, give a hug to someone and go fishing.  

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.