Obituary of Mary Loomis

Mary L. Loomis, 73, died Monday, August 8, 2005 at Regent’s Hospital, St. Paul, Minnesota, following a massive heart attack. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, September 24, 2005 at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City, Iowa. There will be a gathering of family and friends from 1:00 until service time at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association in Mary’s memory. On line condolences for Mary’s family may be sent through our website @www.gayandciha.com. Mary was born August 12, 1931 at University Hospitals, Iowa City, Iowa the daughter of Joseph W. and Minnie (Henderson) Barnes. Mary grew up in Marengo, Iowa and graduated from Marengo High School in 1949. Mary attended the University of Iowa Nursing Program and received her nursing diploma in 1953. Mary was a member of Kappa Phi Sorority. She later attended Carl Sandberg College in Galesburg, Illinois, where she took advanced nursing courses. Mary was a dedicated and skilled nurse; her career spanned almost 40 years and received recognition in Who’s Who of American Women. After serving as a staff nurse at University Hospitals, Iowa City, Mary held supervisor positions at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City; Community Hospital, Grinnell and Monmouth, Illinois Hospital. Mary also served as an instructor in the Mercy Hospital Nursing School, Iowa City. Mary retired from nursing in 1991 and moved back to Iowa City. Mary was recently living in New Richmond, Wisconsin. Mary was an avid member and supporter of Sweet Adelines. She was a founding member of the Iowa Coral Belles Chapter in Iowa City and while living in Grinnell was active in the Heart of Iowa Chapter in Marshalltown. Mary’s family includes two daughters, Mari and her husband, Brendt Traicoff of New Richmond, Wisconsin and Paula and her husband, Dennis Slone of Federal Way, Washington; two grandsons, Joshua Oakley of Federal Way, Washington and Zachary Oakley of Las Vegas, Nevada; one sister, Jo Ann and her husband, John Golubowicz of Marion, Iowa. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Arthur R. Loomis, Jr. and an infant brother. Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City, Iowa is caring for Mary’s family and her services.