Mary Ellen (Proffit) Sturbaum
January 25, 1942 — April 29, 2020
Mary Ellen Sturbaum (Proffit) born 1/25/1942 passed away peacefully & surrounded by her family in her home on 04/29/2020 due to complications of dementia after a fall. Mary Ellen was born to Ruby and Charlie Proffit in a holler of Lily, Kentucky. She was so proud of her large family, with seven siblings and her modest Kentucky roots. In high school, a “chance” encounter at the root beer stand where she worked in Hamilton, Ohio marked the beginning of the next chapter of her life’s story when she skated into the heart of the love of her life, Steve in 1958. They married in 1960, and began a love story that would span over 60 years, and they would center all of those years on their family.
Mary embodied family, in all things. For the last 20 years, Mary owned and operated Fine Line Printing alongside her husband. She shopped for treasures at auctions, bargains at Avon, and was a Black Friday professional - all alongside her mother, sisters, kids and grandkids. She was ever-present at the extracurricular activities her children and grandchildren participated in, whether that meant working the event or sitting in the crowd. She was active in PTA and boosters, volunteering hundreds of Thursday and Friday nights running the concession stand at Kingston Stadium on behalf of Jefferson High School. In 1994 she was presented with an “honorary diploma” at the graduation ceremony and received a lifetime membership to the Jefferson Booster Club. Mary also volunteered at Westminster Presbyterian Church as a Deacon, a Sunday school teacher for her children and grandchildren, and a Logos cook using her knack for connecting with children to impact their faith.
She had many names over the years; Babe, Mom, Nookie, Miss Mary... but no title meant as much to her as “Mamaw.” She was proud and grateful for every single game, concert, marriage, birth, adoption, graduation, and Friday night. She celebrated family in everything she did. And “family” wasn’t an exclusive term for her, she welcomed everyone who crossed her path or came to her door with open arms and a plate of food.
Energy never dies, it only transforms, and in the story of Mary Ellen Sturbaum, her energy will continue to ripple into the world through hugs, food, laughter, stories, music, and the lessons passed on by her children, Julie, John, (Linda) Jackie, Stephen Charles (in heaven) & Missy (Lori), her grandchildren, Christian & Katie (Julie’s), Chad, Silver, Jared, Brett, Kallee, DQ, Alex (John & Linda’s), Jacob, Lacey, Jenna, Jessie, Luke (Jackie’s) CJ & Emma (Missy & Lori’s) and her great-grandchildren, Stephen & Drake (Jessie & Luke’s) Jaxon (Jenna’s) Lilly & Garrison (Jacob & Lacey’s) and Allaunna & Izabella (Kallee & DQ’s).
We have no doubt that she arrived in heaven and was greeted by the family members that passed before her - too many to mention - and she will be returned to her glorious wholeness, in God’s house. With great joy she will watch her family continue their earthly journeys, she will wait for their eventual arrival into her NEW house, and she will welcome them through her doorway again, just as she did in life.
In this time of social distancing, the family invites you to drop your cards, and tribute gifts at the Murdoch Funeral Home or at the family home. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established. Private family services will be held with Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids.
Mary embodied family, in all things. For the last 20 years, Mary owned and operated Fine Line Printing alongside her husband. She shopped for treasures at auctions, bargains at Avon, and was a Black Friday professional - all alongside her mother, sisters, kids and grandkids. She was ever-present at the extracurricular activities her children and grandchildren participated in, whether that meant working the event or sitting in the crowd. She was active in PTA and boosters, volunteering hundreds of Thursday and Friday nights running the concession stand at Kingston Stadium on behalf of Jefferson High School. In 1994 she was presented with an “honorary diploma” at the graduation ceremony and received a lifetime membership to the Jefferson Booster Club. Mary also volunteered at Westminster Presbyterian Church as a Deacon, a Sunday school teacher for her children and grandchildren, and a Logos cook using her knack for connecting with children to impact their faith.
She had many names over the years; Babe, Mom, Nookie, Miss Mary... but no title meant as much to her as “Mamaw.” She was proud and grateful for every single game, concert, marriage, birth, adoption, graduation, and Friday night. She celebrated family in everything she did. And “family” wasn’t an exclusive term for her, she welcomed everyone who crossed her path or came to her door with open arms and a plate of food.
Energy never dies, it only transforms, and in the story of Mary Ellen Sturbaum, her energy will continue to ripple into the world through hugs, food, laughter, stories, music, and the lessons passed on by her children, Julie, John, (Linda) Jackie, Stephen Charles (in heaven) & Missy (Lori), her grandchildren, Christian & Katie (Julie’s), Chad, Silver, Jared, Brett, Kallee, DQ, Alex (John & Linda’s), Jacob, Lacey, Jenna, Jessie, Luke (Jackie’s) CJ & Emma (Missy & Lori’s) and her great-grandchildren, Stephen & Drake (Jessie & Luke’s) Jaxon (Jenna’s) Lilly & Garrison (Jacob & Lacey’s) and Allaunna & Izabella (Kallee & DQ’s).
We have no doubt that she arrived in heaven and was greeted by the family members that passed before her - too many to mention - and she will be returned to her glorious wholeness, in God’s house. With great joy she will watch her family continue their earthly journeys, she will wait for their eventual arrival into her NEW house, and she will welcome them through her doorway again, just as she did in life.
In this time of social distancing, the family invites you to drop your cards, and tribute gifts at the Murdoch Funeral Home or at the family home. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established. Private family services will be held with Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Ellen (Proffit) Sturbaum, please visit our flower store.