Mary Louise Mowen Matthews

Our family navigator has followed the path Jesus created for her over the course of the past 82 years. Having lived her life with a strong faith and belief in Jesus, He called Mary home to be with Him in heaven.

Mary Louise Mowen Matthews was the firstborn to Leonard L. and Genevieve L. Mowen on February 12, 1942. Born in Des Moines, Mary received a high quality education beginning in 1946 with the first Black teacher in the Des Moines Public Schools. She attended Perkins Elementary, Franklin Junior High School, and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1960 as a proud Rough Rider.

Mary had fond memories of family vacations together to Cedar Rapids Lodge on Medicine Lake in northern Minnesota each year with her siblings, parents, aunts, uncles and many cousins.

She graduated from State College of Iowa (now UNI) in 1964. During this time Mary was set up on a blind date by a close friend (and future sister-in-law) and met the love of her life, Jim Matthews. They were married August 9, 1964 and blessed to celebrate 60 years of marriage last month. Jim and Mary had three children: Carol, David, and Daniel.

Mary taught second graders at Mingo Community School from 1968-1970. She shared many memories of her students and her teaching colleagues during that time. Mary enjoyed being with people, especially children. She was known as a “baby whisperer”, calming those cries when no one else had success. During Covid, Mary found herself in a skilled nursing rehabilitation center. She would navigate her way (masked of course) into a neighbor’s room to visit and share because their grandsons were very close friends. The staff would find her and navigate her direction back to her own room.

Mary’s life path continued as a homemaker as her family moved to Indiana and Washington, making many special friendships and bonds along the way. We clamored into the old green station wagon and Mary navigated beside Jim on many trips across the country, and even into some places no vehicle had seen before, nor should have. She navigated directions in the car and provided direction to us in life.

Mary and Jim returned to their Iowa roots and took over the family farmstead. Mary was raised in the city but became a farm wife. She attended classes for Accounting and as a result worked for the Iowa Department of Revenue for more than twenty five years. She would work long hours during tax seasons to make sure deposits into the state coffers were exactly right-to the penny. She was detailed and accurate.

Mary loved God and her family above all. She was a supporter of her children’s activities in school music, sports, and 4-H over the years. That support continued with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Even when Mary’s mobility made attendance difficult she watched from afar and loved hearing about dance competitions, football, basketball, baseball, running and Special Olympics events. Holidays were great opportunities to spend time with family and share good food together. Mary had a deep love for puzzles and games, finding joy in the challenge and camaraderie they brought to her life.

Mary and Jim taught Sunday school classes at Ira United Church where they remain dedicated members.

Visitation with family members will be held 5:00-7:00 pm Tuesday, September 10th, at Wallace Family Funeral Home in Newton, Iowa. Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, September 11th, at 11:00 am at Ira United Church in Ira, Iowa.

Mary is predeceased by her father Leonard, mother Genevieve, brother Bill, mother in-law Janet and father-in-law C. Robert, brother-in-laws Roland Isaacson and Ed Krekow. Left on Earth to cherish her memory and celebrate her entrance into heaven are her husband James, siblings Robert (Rita) Mowen, Susan (James) Nicholson, brother and sisters-in-law Robert (Marilyn) Matthews, Barbara Krekow, Mary Isaacson, daughter Carol (Steve) Seid, sons David and Daniel (Tina), along with her grandchildren Matthew (Leah) Karns, Jacqueline (Ben) Butzke, Nicole (Mike) Romey, Katherine (Mike) Taylor, Shane Matthews, Brad Matthews, Lisa Robertson, Danica (Azalea) Wilson, Jandi Westendorf, Westen Matthews, Rebecca Matthews, Jayden Matthews, Kailie Reeves, Brittany Jones, 19 great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and dear friends.

Mary navigated a straight and narrow path throughout her life and gave us all direction with love and care. We are left to find and navigate our own path now. Thank you, mom, for giving us the tools to do this well.

The family asks that memorial donations be sent to Ira United Church.