Mary L. O’Banion

Mary Lavonne O’Banion, 87, of Mason City, Iowa died Monday at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Friday April 10, 2015, at the Epiphany Parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mason City.  Burial was in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

Mary was born Feb. 27, 1928, in Clear Lake, the daughter of Ray and Rena (Murphy) Rice.  She attended school in Clear Lake and was a member of the class of 1947.

Mary married John Edward O’Banion on Aug. 21, 1946, in Mason City. They lived in Clear Lake until 1950 when they moved to Mason City.

She worked at the Country House and Seven Nations as a waitress and cook.  She later worked at the Cerro Gordo County Jail as a matron.

She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, woodworking, many other crafts, playing bingo, and was known for her baking,  especially her cinnamon rolls and dinner rolls.

She was a member of Epiphany Parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church; Senior Center, Mason City and the O.N.O. Birthday Club.

Mary is survived by her five children, Michael (Barbara) O’Banion, Littleton, Colo., Patrick (Ginger) O’Banion, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Timothy (Darla) O’Banion, Dexter, Iowa, Teresa (John) Currier, Mason City, and Michelle (Craig) Feuring, Mason City; 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.  

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; and eight brothers and sisters.

Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City, was in charge of arrangements.