Mary M. Coyle

Mary M. Coyle, 98, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, at the Rockwell Community Care Center, Rockwell, Iowa.  

A funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with Rev. Josh Link officiating.  Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.  A viewing was held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials may be directed to Mary Rausch, PO Box 37, Van Horne, IA 52346, memorials will be distributed to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, and Rockwell Community Nursing Home, in Mary’s memory.  

Mary was born Nov. 21, 1925 to Sherman and Beatrice Swenson in Swaledale.  Mary was raised on the family farm just outside Swaledale.  She had many stories about her life working on the farm.  

On Jan. 22, 1949 she married Don Coyle, one day later they moved to Ventura where she lived for 62 years.  The Monday after the wedding they began their ownership of the Ventura Locker.  Mary and Don worked side by side at the locker until 1972.  That same year, Mary, along with best friend, Joanne Hejna, opened the Ventura Drive In.  They ran the drive-in for 12 years serving the best ice cream in the area!

Mary and Don were also avid “pickers,” finding many treasures on their adventures in the camper.  They were known to have a large garage sale every 4th of July weekend; where people would come from all over to shop.

Mary was very involved in several groups and activities in Ventura.  She was on the committee for the Ventura Septemberfest for many years, helped with Ventura Senior Dining and loved being part of the quilting group; her quilts are treasured by her family.  Family was the most important thing to Mary.   She loved making phone calls to find out how everyone was doing and helping any way she could.

Mary is survived by her “kids,” Al and Mary Rausch, their children Todd (Alicia) Rausch and Katrina (Brad) Bremer; sisters, Doris Boehnke, Dorothy Callahan; brother, John Swenson; sister-in-law, Dorris Jeffrey; along with many loving nieces and nephews.  

She is preceded in death by her husband, Don; brothers, Don, Dean and Larry Swenson; sisters, Vicki Swenson and Marjorie Fjone.

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.