Mary Esther Zittergruen of Monona, Iowa went peacefully to her forever home surrounded by her family on Saturday, June 29, 2024. She was 67 years old. She was born August 31, 1956 in Guttenberg to Allen and Esther (Brase) Werges. Mary’s faith was nourished at Saint Peter Lutheran Church in Garnavillo where she was baptized on September 16, 1956 and confirmed on May 24, 1970. Mary graduated from Garnavillo Community School in 1974.
Mary united with Sheryl Lee Zittergruen in marriage on March 19, 1977 at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Monona. They welcomed three children and raised them on their farm just east of town. In addition to homemaking and helping Sheryl on the farm, Mary was a pillar for her community. She served in countless volunteer and leadership roles in her church and community, including as a volunteer EMT for the MFL Ambulance.
Her greatest passion was time with others. Her grandchildren filled her life with joy. She enjoyed many days watching their sporting events and music activities. She happily welcomed them to her home for sleepovers and playing games. She loved to spoil them with treats. Mary and Sheryl were blessed with two fantastic communities. Summers in northeast Iowa were a whirlwind of family activities and time with friends. Winters in Panama City Beach, Florida were spent with other great friends, golfing, swimming, and enjoying amazing sunrises and sunsets.
In her last year, Mary faced illness while drawing on things that gave her strength throughout her life: her loved ones, her strong will, and her deep faith. Her hope in the promises into which she was baptized was firm. Her resilience in the face of many trials was steady. The friends and family who shouldered the burden with her and the medical professionals who walked alongside her were a constant blessing. She was particularly grateful for the anonymous donors whose gifts of blood and platelets gave her strength and more time.
Mary’s family and friends already miss her deeply, but will be comforted by her memory and by the faith we share with her in God’s promise of healing and peace. She is survived by her husband, Sheryl Zittergruen of Monona, Iowa; her three children, Lesa (Jason) Reimer of Garnavillo, Iowa, Steven (Lisa) Zittergruen of Decorah, Iowa and Tessa (Steve) Shea of Platteville, Wisconsin; ten grandchildren, Keaton, Kurt, Lola, Nash, Cruz and Dirx Reimer, Soren and Vera Zittergruen and Cora and Calvin Shea; Parents, Allen and Esther Werges of Monona, Iowa; her siblings, Pam (Del Glover) Johanningmeier of Monona, Iowa and Pastor David Werges of Decorah, Iowa ; and many loving nephews and nieces, extended family and dear friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Marvin and Ariel Zittergruen; sister-in-law, Elayne Stoen Werges; brothers-in-law, Louis Zittergruen and Duane Zittergruen.
The Visitation is 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home in Monona. There will also be a one-hour visitation before the service at the church on Wednesday.
The Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at Faith Lutheran Church in Monona, Iowa with the reverend Mel Harris officiating.
Burial will follow at National Cemetery in National, Iowa.
Instead of flowers and other memorials please consider a donation in Mary’s memory to Faith Lutheran Church or the MFL Ambulance Service.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona, Iowa is assisting the family with services.