"Chelsea and Ian, I am sorry to learn of the loss of your grandmother. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Maureen Drees"
In loving memory of
Mary Jane Mulford
April 16, 1925 - July 8, 2022
Mary Jane Hewitt-Kemp-Murr-Mulford was born April 16, 1925 in Indianola, Iowa and died July 8, 2022 at the age of 97 at Accura Healthcare of Manning, Iowa. Her parents were Lorena and Charles Hewitt. Her father died when she was 6 weeks old so her grandparents Minnie and Clarence Hill helped to raise her. Mary Jane graduated from Indianola High School and received her secretarial degree from AIB in Des Moines.
Mary Jane was an avid rider and trainer of horses and grew up riding her horse to school as a child. She met Wallace Kemp at the Horseman's Club and they married January 27, 1947. They raised four children, many cats and dogs, piglets, woodchuck, rabbits, and miscellaneous other creatures brought home by her children.
Wally passed away in 1991 and she moved to Colorado where she met and married Lyle Murr on February 14, 1995. After his passing and moving back to Marion she met and married Carrol Floyd Mulford on April 2, 2006.
Mary Jane loved to travel and planned summer vacations that encompassed traveling and camping in 38 states before her children graduated from high school. She always made sure to visit the elite and poorest sections of cities. She and Wally took many trips to Mississippi with clothing and various goods for people in need. She and Wally traveled to Japan and after Wally's death she took a solo trip to Kenya.
Mary Jane enjoyed working and used her secretarial and organizational skills in many different positions. She worked as secretary at Marion Christian Church, Hanstrom Hubly, O.G.Waffle Book Company and Executive Secretary of the American Funeral Homes. She was also involved in the Eastern Star, Business Women's Association and served as the first female president of the Marion PTA.
Survivors include 4 children: Carol (David) Souter of Manning, IA; LeAnna (Keith Bancroft) Franklin of Kewaunee, WI; Keith (Connie) Kemp of Pooler, GA; Christine (Tim) Hehr of Somerset, WI; 10 grandchildren: Chelsea (Sujay) Mahajan and Ian Souter; Jeff Franklin and Bryan (Alex Guth) Franklin and Sergei (Megan) Holz; Leisel (David) Weatherford and Emil (Sherah) Kemp; Andrew (Katie) Hehr, Shelby Hehr and Alan (Carly) Hehr; and 7 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 husbands and 2 grandsons.
Donations in her name to the Alzheimer's Association or American Cancer Society would be appreciated. The family would like to thank the staff at Accura Healthcare of Manning, IA for the wonderful care given Mary Jane during her final days.
Tributes
"Mary Jane was an amazing and inspirational person. A couple coworkers and I were talking about babies and joking around when I asked her if she thought I should have a child. She told me it was up to me. We continued joking and laughing when she told me "I worry about you sometimes." Which in return make all of us laugh harder. I was laughing so hard I was on the floor and I had tears rolling. I loved Mary Jane. She will always be a part of my heart. Much love and prayers to her family. May God welcome her home with her husband and grandfather. "