Mary Lee

Mary Patricia Lee, age 69, of Wiota, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Mary was born September 22, 1948, in Atlantic, Iowa to Joseph and Josephine (Richter) Ballensiefer. She graduated from the Anita High School in 1966. After graduation, she attended and graduated from the College of St. Mary in Omaha, Nebraska.

On July 3, 1971, Mary was married to Michael Lee at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Anita, Iowa.

She worked thirty six years at Anita High School teaching French, English and working in the library. Mary kept herself busy after retirement by doing the mowing for St. Joseph’s Cemetery, road tripping and antiquing. Mary had a love for all animals and especially enjoyed riding horses. Mary was a lifelong resident of the Atlantic and Wiota area and a member of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother James William Ballensiefer in infancy and her son Matthew Tanner Lee in infancy.

Mary is survived by her husband, Mike Lee of Wiota, Iowa; a daughter, Manda (Chad) Thomas of Ackley, IA; grandchildren, Hannah and Collin Thomas of Ackley, Iowa; an “adopted” son, Tim Richter of Wiota, Iowa; her beloved dog, Murphy; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

Visitation with family will be from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Sunday, January 14, 2018, with a rosary service beginning at 1:00 p.m., at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 15, 2018, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, Iowa.

Burial will be in SS Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery in Atlantic, Iowa.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.