Mary Ellen Auterman, 83, formerly of Monona, Iowa, died October 6, 2021, at her home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Mary was born September 6, 1938, to George and Leona (McGill) Auterman in St. Olaf, Iowa. She received her RN from Mercy Medical Center School of Nursing, Dubuque, Iowa in 1959, completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Colorado in 1969, completed her Master of Arts/Nursing from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, in 1971 and received her Doctorate of Nursing from Indiana University, Indianapolis in 1988. After receiving her RN in 1959, she worked at Palmer Hospital in West Union, Iowa. In 1969, Mary joined the Air Force Nursing Corp Reserve. Mary joined the faculty at Augustana University, Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1970 where she remained until retiring as Professor Emeritus of Nursing in 2001. Mary designed and taught the Parish Nursing Program for Augustana; she then travelled extensively across the United States and Australia to promote this program.
Mary was an avid genealogist, tracing her family tree to the 1500s in Great Britain and Germany. She enjoyed visiting family and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Thomas and Paul Auterman and Paul’s Wife Janet.
Survivors include her sister, Sr. Cecelia Auterman of Dubuque, Iowa, brother, Philip (Brenda) Auterman of Iowa City, Iowa; nephew Joseph (Ann) Auterman of Shoreline, Washington and sister-in-law, Joan Auterman of Fairfax, Iowa, step-niece, Jennifer (Travis) Weland; step-nephew, Christopher Mayer; two step-great-nephews, Matthew Mayer-Rich and Samuel Weland and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be sent to St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sisters of the Presentation in Dubuque, Iowa or a charity of your choice.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at 11am at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Monona, IA, with the Rev. Chris Podhajsky as the celebrant.
Visitation will be held from 9am until mass time at the church on Tuesday, October 19, 2021.
Burial will follow in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Monona, IA.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona, IA, is in charge of arrangements.