Marianne Mahr

Marianne E. Mahr, 85, of Dorchester, IA, died Thursday, April 4, 2019, at her home. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 8th, at 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dorchester with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Sunday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 1:30 PM scripture service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 590 Waterloo Creek Drive, Dorchester, IA, 52140.

Marianne Elizabeth Mahr was born December 3, 1933, in Spring Gove, MN, the daughter of Christian and Winifred (Casey) Teff. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dorchester, IA, attended Dorchester School, and graduated from Waukon High School in 1951. Marianne worked at Gibbs Manufacturing in Janesville, WI, for two years. On July 10, 1954, she married Walter Mahr at St. Mary's Catholic Church. They farmed together in Waterloo Township, rural Dorchester, where they raised chickens, pigs, and cattle. Marianne was very good with taking care of the calves and would sing to them while feeding them.

She was member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, where she was active with the ladies groups. Marianne enjoyed working in her garden, playing cards, and traveling, particularly to Las Vegas. She loved spending time with her family, especially at family gatherings, and liked cooking and baking for them. Marianne loved everything about the holidays, especially decorating, and Christmas was her favorite. She was so efficient with her time. Marianne took pride in having a clean and tidy farm and home. She has instilled so many of these traits in her children and grandchildren. Marianne always kept a beautiful yard spring through fall with her lawn ornaments and flowers even after being confined to her scooter after her legs became too weak for her to walk. She could be seen every day outside watering her flowers and pulling weeds or just riding her golf cart around the yard taking in her beautifully kept yard.

She is survived by her children: Theresa (William) Amunrud and Kristine (Steve) Stock, both of Dorchester, Patricia (Jerald) Oakes of Spring Grove, Francis (Linda) Mahr and Mark (Julie) Mahr, both of Dorchester, Gary (Kelly) Mahr of Waukon, IA, Luke (Jan) Mahr of Dorchester, Michelle (Pat Fabio) Mahr of St. Paul, MN, Susan Mahr-Fahey of Decorah, IA, Raymond (Donna) Mahr and Amy (Kim) Welch, both of Waukon, Casey (Devora) Mahr of Postville, IA, and Wally (Traci) Mahr of Dorchester; 46 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; and two sisters-in-law: Judy Mahr of Cresco, IA, and Lois Mahr of South Sioux City, NE; her siblings: Phyllis (Dick) Knopes of Janesville, WI, Marlene (Bob) Meiners of Caledonia, MN, Harold (Donna) Teff of Minneapolis, MN, Suzanne (Dennis) Bresnahan of Dorchester, John (Paula) Teff of Arizona, Janet (Bill) Majhenich of Milwaukee, WI, and Barbara (Mark) Williams of Lansing, IA. Marianne is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Walter, who died in 2017; a son Joseph Dean Mahr; a grandson Jared Mahr; two sisters: Ruth Watry and Jean Fetting; and two brothers: Gerald and Robert Teff.

Honorary casketbearers are Suzanne Bresnahan, Phyllis Knopes, Janet Majhenich, Marlene Meiners, Barbara Williams, and Judy and Lois Mahr. Casketbearers are Marianne's sons.