Obituary of Mary June Berry

Mary Berry, 97, of Iowa City, Iowa, died Sunday, October 15, at Atrium Village in Hills, Iowa.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be directed to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation at dystonia-foundation.org, Iowa City Hospice at iowacityhospice.org, or any charity. Online condolences may be sent to her family through www.gayandciha.com. Per Mary’s request, no public services are being planned.

 

Mary Berry was born June 1, 1926, in Iowa City, the daughter of Andrew and Christiana (Miller) Pederson. On February 17, 1945, she married Howard P. Berry at First Christian Church in Iowa City. Together, they farmed south of Iowa City for many years before retiring in 1998. She was a member of First Christian Church in Iowa City.

 

Mary is survived by her three children, Linda (Stan) Ridenour Yoder and Steven (Janet) Berry, both of Iowa City, and Susan (Dean) Thomann of Riverside, Iowa; four grandchildren, Chad (Wendy) Berry, Christopher (Lori) Berry, Deanna Thomann, and Dana Thomann; great-grandchildren, Burke, Cale, Alise, Mardie, and Audrey; and sister-in-law Loretta Pederson. Survivors also include many loving nieces and nephews.

 

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; all her siblings, Edith (Gilbert) Brown, Irving (Donna) Pederson, Violet (Harry) Salisbury, Roland Pederson, Esther (Bob) Arn, Paul (Loretta) Pederson, and Betty (Leo) Stratton; her sons-in-law, Patrick Ridenour and Dean Thomann; and her brother-in-law, Edwin Berry and his wife, Martha.

 

Mary’s family extends their sincere appreciation to everyone at Atrium Village for the care and compassion during Mary’s short stay there.

 

This is the evening prayer Mary’s mother taught Mary and her siblings:

 

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

Guard me Jesus night and day and lead me in your heavenly way.

 

As Mary departed this earth, she wrote this additional final prayer:

 

Now I lay me down to rest,

Eternal peace will be my guest.

And God will take me by the hand

And lead me to the promised land.

The gates to heaven will open once more

And I’ll be with those who have gone before.

Now I lay me down to sleep

And when I’ve risen and I awaken

I pray that God my soul has taken.

Amen

—Mary June Pederson Berry