Mary F. Mettenburg, 87, of Mt. Pleasant, died Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at the University of Iowa Downtown Hospital in Iowa City. 
Mrs. Mettenburg, the former Mary Frances Heitz, was born October 31, 1936 in Ft. Madison, IA. She was the daughter of Joseph Lee and Virginia Ann (Moline) Heitz. Mary graduated from Catholic Central High School of Ft. Madison in 1954. She furthered her education at Marycrest College in Davenport. On September 1, 1956 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ft. Madison, Mary was united in marriage to Clarence Wilfred “Zip” Mettenburg.
Mary was a devoted homemaker for Zip and her children, tending to everything a mother could and even more. For 22 years, the family made their home in Ridgecrest, California. As some of the children “left the nest”, Mary and Zip moved to McLean, Virginia. In retirement, they returned to Ft. Madison in 1993, residing there until they moved to Mt. Pleasant in 1998.
Mary was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society of the church and the Ladies of Charity of the church. She was also a member of the Mt. Pleasant Women’s Club.
Bridge was a passion to Mary, a runner up only to the love she had for her family. She belonged to numerous Bridge clubs and Duplicate Bridge clubs. She was often sought as a substitute Bridge player for groups needing a stand-in.
Those thankful for sharing in Mary’s life include her husband, Clarence “Zip” (they marked their 68th wedding anniversary just 2 days prior to Mary’s passing); her children – Ann (Dr. John) Bennett of Mt. Pleasant, Deborah (Dr. Mark) Carlson of Mt. Pleasant, Jane (Randy) O’Boyle of Manhattan, KS, John (Mary Helen) Mettenburg of Cedar Rapids, IA, Virginia Dupuis of Tyler, TX, Mary Beth Mettenburg of Mt. Pleasant, Katherine (Denny) Stewart of Melbourne Beach, FL and Dr. Joseph (Catherine) Mettenburg of Pittsburg, PA; 2 sisters – Judy (Arthur) Duke of Brighton, IA and Susan (Michael) Biderman of Cedar Rapids; 29 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.
Her parents and a daughter, Laura Jo Carlson, precede Mary in death.
A funeral mass for Mary will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant. Father Ross Epping will celebrate the mass. Burial will be in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery. Visitation will be 3-7 PM on Friday, September 6 at the church. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM. The Rosary will be recited at 7 PM following the family greeting time.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church or St. Jude’s Hospital.
Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com