Mary Agnes (Decker) Halva
April 1, 1939 — March 3, 2023
Mary Agnes (Decker) Halva, 83, of Walford, died Friday, March 3, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, May 22, at St. John XXIII church near Fairfax, where she was a member. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. with the service commencing at 10. A private family burial with follow and then a private luncheon.
Mary was born at home in 1939 near Stanley, Iowa, the daughter of L.B. and Josephine Decker. She attended Brandon High School and married her lifetime partner, Carroll, in 1956.
Together with her husband and children, she lived in many states and traveled extensively. A hard-working farmer, wife and mother - and armchair Hawkeye women’s basketball analyst/enthusiast - she enjoyed gardening, reading, experimental cooking, assembling jigsaw puzzles (at breakneck speed), deciphering Crypto-Quotes, visiting casinos and beating her family at cribbage. She will be deeply missed by those who recognized her caring nature, insight and wit.
Mary is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jeanine and Glen; sons Roland and Rodney; grandsons Tyler and Orion (spouse Yunuen); brothers John (spouse Betty) and Ben (spouse Joyce); honorary relative Velvet; plus many other family members scattered across the country but with long roots in Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sister and spouse (JoAnn and David).
The family would like to thank the many people who served as “first responders” and good neighbors whenever help was needed since her return to Iowa.
We also thank Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Service for assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Fairfax Public Library, 313 Vanderbilt St., Fairfax, IA 52228, or her church at 8100 Roncalli Drive, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
Mary was born at home in 1939 near Stanley, Iowa, the daughter of L.B. and Josephine Decker. She attended Brandon High School and married her lifetime partner, Carroll, in 1956.
Together with her husband and children, she lived in many states and traveled extensively. A hard-working farmer, wife and mother - and armchair Hawkeye women’s basketball analyst/enthusiast - she enjoyed gardening, reading, experimental cooking, assembling jigsaw puzzles (at breakneck speed), deciphering Crypto-Quotes, visiting casinos and beating her family at cribbage. She will be deeply missed by those who recognized her caring nature, insight and wit.
Mary is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jeanine and Glen; sons Roland and Rodney; grandsons Tyler and Orion (spouse Yunuen); brothers John (spouse Betty) and Ben (spouse Joyce); honorary relative Velvet; plus many other family members scattered across the country but with long roots in Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sister and spouse (JoAnn and David).
The family would like to thank the many people who served as “first responders” and good neighbors whenever help was needed since her return to Iowa.
We also thank Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Service for assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Fairfax Public Library, 313 Vanderbilt St., Fairfax, IA 52228, or her church at 8100 Roncalli Drive, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
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