Mary Miller-Jackman, 90, of Monona, Iowa died Monday, June 17, 2019 at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, Iowa. Mary was born February 3, 1929 to George A. and Ruth (Henderson) Smith at the home farm on Yellow River. She graduated from Luana High School and continued her education at Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa, graduating in 1966 with a degree in education.
Mary was united in marriage with Louis C. Miller at St. John Lutheran Church in Luana, Iowa. They moved to a farm on Hickory Creek, where two children were born, Vicki and Mark. They later divorced. Mary began her career at Luana, teaching fifth grade. She then transferred to M.F.L. Elementary for eight years, later teaching in Minnesota and returning home to teach in McGregor for seven years. Mary moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where she had an opportunity to teach at Rose Kennedy School for the mentally handicapped. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luana, Iowa for many years.
Mary left the area and met Chuck Jackman, who was serving in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. After twenty-one years of service to our country, Chuck retired and Mary and Chuck were married. Mary’s mother became ill and Mary returned home to help care for her mother until her passing in June 1990. In 1993 Mary and Chuck made a home for grandson Jason after he returned from the Air Force. In 1995 they took Mary’s father, George into their home and cared for him until he passed away in 1999.
Mary loved the country life. She cherished the trees, flowers, gardening and working in the woods. She had many cats and loved each one. She cared for the birds. Mary liked roaming the hills, looking for cows and their newborn calves. Her aim was to make everything beautiful. Mary made and handstitched quilts for her two children, the four grandchildren, two step daughters and their daughters. Mary liked making pies for friends and neighbors and enjoyed listening to country music. Mary had chickens and would sell the eggs, she said it gave her a chance to “discuss things”.
Mary is survived by her husband, Chuck Jackman of Monona, Iowa; daughter, Vicki (Merlin) Pruess Manders of Bellevue, Iowa; son, Mark Miller (wife, Kathy Buxton) of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; four grandchildren, Jason (Cathi) Pruess of Texas; Misty (Ben) Halmers of Enfield, Connecticut; Jacob Miller (wife, Pam Alfonso- Miller) of Tucson, Arizona; and Amber (Will) Miller-Adamany of LaCrosse, Wisconsin; one sister, Georgia (Norman) Kruse of Ames, Iowa; one aunt, Viola (Harry) Kaufman of Hastings, Minnesota; two step-daughters, Maryann (Gary) Niner and Lisa (Sean) Price; four step-granddaughters, Ashley Price, Emily Niner, Jennifer White and Andrea Oppermann; four great-grandchildren, Alyzabeth and Matthew Halmers of Enfield, Connecticut; Tauren Miller Amunson and Liam Louis Miller- Adamany V of La Crosse, Wisconsin; two step great-grandchildren, Rachel Hohlfeld and Logan Oppermann and her ex-son-in-law, Roger (Dionne) Pruess of Floris, Iowa.
Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Friday, June 21, 2019 at St. John Lutheran Church, Luana, Iowa with Rev. Harold McMillin as the officiant. There will be a two hour visitation from 9-11 am before services at the church on Friday.
Burial will follow at Smithfield Cemetery, rural Monona, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mary’s honor, may be directed to St. John Lutheran Church in Luana, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona, Iowa is helping the family with arrangements.