Mary Celine Sindelar, 88, of Marion, Iowa, passed away Sunday, July 1, 2018 surrounded by her family. A Parish Vigil Service will begin at 4:00 p.m. Friday, July 6, 2018, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion. The family will greet friends following the vigil service until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion, conducted by Reverend David O’Connor. The family will also greet friends one hour prior to Mass at the church. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Mary Celine was born the third child of Emil and Agnes (Michalek) DeMeulenaere on August 10, 1929, in Victor, Iowa. She graduated from St. John School in Victor, Iowa, and from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. On October 11, 1951 Mary was united in marriage to Joseph Gerald Sindelar at St. Bridget’s in Victor, Iowa. He passed away on September 19, 1998. She lived in the Panama Canal Zone for three years while her husband was serving in the United States Air Force. Mary worked part time at Mercy Hospital for 19 years. She was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1958 where she served on the funeral dinner committee for many years, and also volunteered at the Marion Library.
Mary was a strong woman of faith and her daily prayers for her family were an important part of her life. Mary had an active lifestyle including going dancing with her husband Jerry, a passion for walking, feeding the birds, and was well known for her wit and memory. She loved going to all of her grandchildren’s events and had a great love for all of her family.
She is survived and lovingly remembered by her children, Victoria (Robert) Bauman, Joseph Sindelar, Daniel (Vicki) Sindelar, Robert Sindelar, Kris Freewoman, Matthew Sindelar and Kerry (Wael) Ayyad; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; sisters, Joan Wahl and Betty DeBrower; brother, Ed DeMeulenaere; and a sister-in-law, Phyllis Bishop.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; a daughter, Mary Jean; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Koftan; a sister, Lorraine Kurovski; and a brother, Robert DeMeulenaere.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in Mary’s memory to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Hospice of Mercy.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy for their compassionate care shown to Mary.
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