Mary Cecilia (Gruber) Mefferd, 79, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In accordance with Mary’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Family will greet friends and family from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 28, 2022, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion, with Reverend David O’Connor officiating. A private family committal service will take place at a later date at Campbell Cemetery - Bertram Township in Cedar Rapids.
Mary was born on November 15, 1942, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the daughter of Erwin Carl and Cecilia Mary (Wagner) Gruber. She was a 1960 graduate of St. George High School in Lansing, Iowa. On September 28, 1963, Mary was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Dean Mefferd at the Immaculate Conception Church in Lansing. Mary started working at Lansing Button Factory before moving on to Rockwell Collins. In 1968, together with her husband Bob, they started the Mefferd Auto Service and she helped run the business. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Wild Game Feed, and the Springville American Legion Auxiliary. Mary enjoyed taking trips, gambling, playing cards, especially Euchre. She had the gift of gab. But most of all, she cherished her time spent with family. Mary will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Mary is survived and lovingly remembered by her daughter, Robin Jurgens of Marion; sons, Michael Mefferd of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, William “Bill” (Therese) Mefferd of Bertram, Iowa, and Scott (Chrissy) Mefferd of Cedar Rapids; eight grandchildren, Richard, Laura, Cody (Molly), Cameron (Kelsey), Cayden, Brennen (Malary), Mallory (Dan) and Will; two great-grandchildren, Aspen and Oaklyn; brother, Tom (Ellin) Gruber of Toddville, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Sharon Gruber of Marion, Genevieve “Ann” Thie of Spearfish, South Dakota, Karen Fox of Marion, Judy (Hubert) Bakken of Decorah, Iowa, and Linda McKnight of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces, nephews and beloved friends, especially Carolyn Phelps.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Erwin and Cecilia Gruber; husband, Bob Mefferd; brothers, John Gruber and Bill Gruber; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Arthur and Pauline Mefferd; and brothers-in-law, Jim Fox and Irvin Thie.
Memorials in Mary’s memory may be directed to the family.