Mary Ann "Marian" Cota

Mary Ann "Marian" Cota, 86, of Lansing, IA, a long-time Harpers Ferry resident, died Monday, July 4, 2011, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 7th, at 10:30 AM at St. Ann's - St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry, with Rev. Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg, Fr. Daniel Knipper, Fr. Donald Hawes, Rev. Msgr. Cletus Hawes, and Fr. Louis Trzil officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph's Paint Rock Cemetery, Harpers Ferry. Friends may call from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Wednesday at St. Ann's - St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry, where there will be a memorial service by American Legion Scenic Post #722 Auxiliary at 5:00 PM and a Scripture Service at 8:00 PM, and again for 1 hour before the service at the church on Thursday.

Mary Ann "Marian" Cota was born on October 16, 1924 on the rural Harpers Ferry, IA family farm of her parents, Helmer and Mary Elizabeth (Garin) Evenson. She attended elementary school in Harpers Ferry and graduated from high school in Lansing, IA. On June 16, 1942 she married Leo G. "Jerry" Cota at St. Ann's-St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry. They lived in Boise, ID for a short time when Jerry was in the service during WWII, but soon returned to Harpers Ferry where they farmed together and raised their 9 children. God was first in Marian's life with her family following close behind. She tended to their needs by raising a large garden, sewing, cooking and doing all the things necessary to see to it the children had what they needed. In addition, she helped Jerry on the farm and with his Pioneer Seed business, often being known as "Mrs. Pioneer."

Marian was a life-long member of St. Ann's-St. Joseph's Catholic Church and part of the Rosary Society. She was also a charter member and past president of American Legion Scenic Post #722 Auxiliary. Marian was also an active volunteer with Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospice, Thornton Manor, Makee Manor, and Al-Anon. She enjoyed spending time playing cards, doing crochet, listening to music and dancing, and finishing and varnishing much of the furniture Jerry made.


Survivors include her children, Jim of Harpers Ferry, Dick (Donna) of Genoa, WI, Karen (Jerry) Boardman of Rock Falls, WI, Mary Jane (Jim) Connor of Eyota, MN, Jerry "Jake" (Donna) of Sherrill, IA, Betty Hogan of Harpers Ferry, Tom (Joyce) of Harpers Ferry, and Connie (Chuck) Brown of Lansing, IA; 25 grandchildren; 58 great-grandchildren; a sister, Alyce Gavin of Racine, WI; and a brother, Vic Evenson of Pewaukee, WI. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Leo "Jerry", who died in August of 2010; a son, Joey; a grandson, Ted Cota; a daughter-in-law, Shara Cota; a son-in-law, Bob Hogan; and 3 great-granddaughters.

Honorary casketbearers are Bob Livingston, Donald Gavin, Mike Foley, Patti Hastings, Mary Cota, Charlotte Mathis, and residents & staff of Thornton Manor and Assisted Living. Casketbearers are Julie Fossum, Lori Skinner, Clint Cota, Tim Cota, Katie Becker, Matt Brown, Maggie Dettinger, and Kevin Connor.