Mary "Marian" Sandbothe

Mary “Marian” Sandbothe, 84, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Saturday, September 29, 2018, at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.

Mary Ann was born August 19, 1934, on the family farm east of Westphalia, Iowa, the daughter of William Joseph and Laurina Magdaline (Britten) Blum. As the second oldest of 14 children, she played a significant role in caring for the home and her younger siblings.

On November 12, 1955, she was united in marriage to Vernon Joseph Sandbothe at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, Iowa. The couple was blessed with seven sons, Stephen, William, Lawrence, Randall, Douglas, Thomas and Allen. Following their marriage, they farmed for two years in the Panama/Portsmouth area, later near Denison, and in the Spring of 1960, they moved to Atlantic where they continued farming and also operated a dairy business. As busy as Mary was caring for her family and putting meals on the table, she still managed being the backbone of the business. Mary’s work ethic and perseverance through difficult times is something her sons admire about her. The couple opened their home up, and provided care and guidance to Mike Smith and Brian Elmquist, who continue to be a part of their family today.

Heartbreak came in the fall of 1985, when they lost their oldest son, Steve. The following spring, they moved to a farm south of Atlantic. In the early 1980’s, Mary began working outside the home; working at RGIS – Retail Grocery Inventory Specialist, making donuts at Casey’s for five years, and retired from the Cass County Memorial Hospital after working as a cook for nearly 20 years. On December 26, 2011, the couple made Allen Place in Atlantic home.

Mary was a member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic and the Kiwanis Aktion Club. Mary and Vernon looked forward to weekend polka and square dances and getting together with friends in their card club. She tended a large garden not just as a necessity to feed her family, but also because she enjoyed it. Mary spent countless hours preparing and serving food at the FFA Foodstand and at 4-H soup suppers. After settling into Allen Place she found interest in adult coloring and continued to join others for games of BINGO, pitch and pinochle.

Mary is survived by her six sons, William and wife, Judy, Lawrence and wife, Darla, Randall and wife, Denise, Douglas and wife, Lisa, Thomas and wife, Robyn, and Allen and wife, Tonia; 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 11 siblings; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Laurina Blum; husband, Vernon; son, Stephen; granddaughter, Jennifer; brothers, Bernard Blum and one in infancy.

A Rosary service will be held at 5:30 p.m., followed by visitation with the family from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 3, 2018, at Roland Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., October 4, 2018, at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, with Father Chinna Devaraj, celebrant. Burial will be in the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Mary’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF

Mary Sandbothe

BORN
August 19, 1934
Westphalia, Iowa

ENTERED INTO REST
September 29, 2018
Omaha, Nebraska
At the age of
84 years, 1 month & 10 days

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 4, 2018
SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church
Atlantic, Iowa

CELEBRANT
Father Chinna Devaraj

LECTORS
Alyx Sandbothe and Jeremy Sandbothe

ORGANIST
Elsa Casey

CANTOR
Deidre Casey

CONGREGATIONAL MUSICAL SELECTIONS
Processional - “Be Not Afraid” #608
Gifts - “How Great Thou Art” #494
Communion - “Amazing Grace” #612
Recessional - “On Eagles Wing’s” #611

INTERMENT
SS Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery
Atlantic, Iowa

The family invites you to join them for lunch in the
Parish Center following services at the cemetery.