Mary Louise Elizabeth Wilharm

Mary Louise Elizabeth Wilharm, the daughter of Willard Wesley, Sr. and Elizabeth Helene (Vardo) Sally, was born March 15, 1934, in Colfax, Iowa. She graduated from Colfax High School in 1952. She married Ronald Perin, and to this union two daughters were born, Lucinda (Cindi) and Jennifer.

Mary worked for the Maytag Company, as a secretary, for 40 years. On December 10, 1977, Mary was united in marriage with Lyle James Wilharm in Colfax, Iowa. After a brief retirement, Mary went back to work for Medical Services of Newton and Urgent Care Surgical Center. She was always known for her smile and genuine concern for others. She loved her family and extended family, her travels with Lyle and had a great love of all animals. Mary was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton, Iowa.

Mary died on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at The Gardens of Cedar Rapids. She was 90 years old. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lyle; a son-in-law, Terry Konicek; siblings Joanna Berkenbosch, and Willard Sally, Jr; siblings-in-law Howard Berkenbosch and Dorothy Sally, a nephew Dennis Berkenbosch and step-granddaughter Sarah Wilharm.

Those left to honor Mary’s memory include her daughters, Lucinda Konicek (Brett Gagnon) of Newhall, Jennifer (Scott) Anderson of Des Moines and stepchildren Dr. Jeffrey D. (Vicki) Wilharm of Cedar Rapids; Clark J. (Julie) Wilharm of Waverly; and Lennie Wilharm-Batson of Elkhart; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her brother Tom Sally of Ames; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

A funeral mass will be held 1:30 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton. A Facebook Live Broadcast will begin at 1:30 p.m. on the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home Facebook page. A visitation with the family will be held prior to the service from 12:30 -1:30 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.