"Mary was a wonderful friend that I will miss. She was kind and always thinking of others as well as her family before herself. I am blessed to have had Mary in my life. I pray that the good Lord will give comfort to Mike and Mary\'s family."
In loving memory of
Mary E. Marlow
February 3, 1943 - August 20, 2020
Mary Marlow, 77, of Swea City, died Thursday at Valley Vue Care Center in Armstrong. A funeral Mass was held Monday, August 24, 2020, at 10:30 AM at St. John's Catholic Church in Bancroft. The funeral Mass can be viewed by going to Blessed Trinity Kossuth - YouTube.
Mary Ellen Marlow was born February 3, 1943, in Bancroft, daughter of Ray and Rita (McFadden) Williamson. She grew up in Bancroft, her family moved to Wesley for a short period of time and returned to Bancroft. Mary graduated from St. John's Catholic High School in Bancroft in 1960 and then worked at Federated Insurance in Owatonna, MN until she married her grade school sweetheart Mike Marlow in 1962. For the next 44 years she worked alongside Mike in the family business.
Mary was very active in the community including serving on the Church finance committee, the Swea City library board, the North Kossuth High School Band Booster Club, as a Eucharistic minister at St John's and many others. She was an accomplished seamstress who made wedding and bridesmaid dresses, altered clothing for Kennedy's Department Store, as well as band and flag corps uniforms for North Kossuth School District. Mary enjoyed golfing, bowling, gardening, and she especially appreciated attending musical performances.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 58 years, Mike Marlow of Swea City; five children, Doug (Sandi) Marlow of Livermore, Shelley (Rick) Tingleff of Peoria, IL, Dan (Stephanie) Marlow of Roland, Debbie (Rich) Sartori of Manhattan, KS and Karen (Dan) Letts of Swea City; a daughter-in-law, Karen Marlow of Fairmont, MN; grandchildren, Eli (Caitlyn) Marlow of Des Moines, Emily Marlow of Minneapolis, MN, Sara (Ryan) Metzger-Murphy of Waukee, Jenna (Casey) Goetz of Wentzville, MO, Andrea (Shawn) Stitch of Fairmont, MN, Jess Marlow of West Des Moines, Patrick Marlow of Ames, Aliza and Nicholas Sartori of Manhattan, KS, and Dylan, Lexus, and Mason Letts of Swea City; and four great-grandchildren, Gregory, Odin, and Shawn Stitch and Gemma Stenger. She is also survived by siblings, Richard (Mary) Williamson of Tucson, AZ, Carol Williamson, of Coal Valley, IL, Margaret Norland of Algona, and Alice (Steve) Schneider of St. Cloud, MN; a brother-in-law Ed (Joyce) Marlow of Emmetsburg, and sister-in-law LeAnn Castillo of Britt; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son Greg on May 4, 2005; two granddaughters, Jacquelyn and Rebecca Marlow; a brother Tom Williamson; her parents-in-law, Jess and Ida Marlow; and two sisters-in-law, Joan Donovan and Denise Cook.
Tributes
"Mike and Family, so sorry for your loss. Prayers to for all of you. Denny and Pam Wymore"
"So sorry to hear about Mary. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. "
"Prayers going out to the Marlow Family. "
"Mike and families, So sorry to hear of Mary?s passing. May many fond memories and lots of love help to ease your loss. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. With sympathy, Tony & Judy Schiltz"
"To Mary\'s family, you are all in our thoughts and prayers on the loss of Mary. She was one of the most considerate and grateful people I have known. Often she would stop by the organ and thank my mom for playing the organ. You all are in my prayers that God will wrap his arms around you and comfort you. "
"Dear Mike and family....I am sad to learn of Mary\'s passing. She has her peace and you have the wonderful memories you shared. They will be a comfort for you. Having been a classmate of Mary and you Mike....she was a dear sweet gal with lots of energy. She was our perky cheerleader....always willing to help and reach out. She will be missed. Her journey is over. Prayers for all of you. Sending hugs also. Maxine Antoine"
" Mary and her family are so near and dear to my heart!! ? I thank God I had the chance to provide love and care to her, and support and grow a little closer to her family during this time! Mary was an amazingly beautiful Wife, Mother and friend to all that knew her! I will always remember the strong, continous and endless love her family had for her! Forever hold your memories with her close in your hearts. I will never forget her sweet smile! Sending all my love, hugs and prayers to her family today and everyday!!??"
"Mike and Mary\'s entire family,I am so sorry for your loss.She has been a wonderful friend to my family.Hold your memories close to your heart.I will always remember her smile.Praying for all of you.Renee Schultz-Harris"