Mary Paasch

Mary Lynne Paasch, 69, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, January 16, 2013.

She was born March 2, 1943, to Orin and Marjorie (Foll) Emerson in Eagle Grove, Iowa, where she spent her childhood. Growing up, she enjoyed spending time with family on fishing trips, teaching her younger brother, Raymond, how to dance and learning to sew from Grandma Nellie which eventually led to her quilting passion.


After graduating from Eagle Grove High School in 1961, Mary attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa, where she discovered her mission for Education. In her own words, Mary stated, "My greatest joy comes when I see children being successful in what they do and developing enough pride in themselves to continue to learn." After graduation, she began a teaching career that spanned over 43 years. Her time with the Atlantic Community Schools started in 1973 and continued until her "retirement" in 2009. Until the present time, she worked with the district as a consultant for testing data and student improvement. Throughout the 35 years of teaching in Atlantic, Mary took great pride in receiving her Master of Education Degree from UNI, coaching winning Math Bee teams, starting the paper recycling program in Atlantic, organizing the annual Christmas tree program, exploring Springbrook State Park, and continually educating herself. In 1976 she welcomed her first of two sons, Cory, and in 1983, her second son, Chris. Her affection towards education and her sons never wavered. She loved raising her boys, teaching, watching tennis (Go Coe), genealogy, quilting but most of all, "exploring."

She passes her love of life and education on to her two sons and their families: Cory, Leah and "Mr. or Miss Junior" Carr of Pleasantville, Iowa; Chris, Andie and Oliver Paasch of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her brother and his wife and family, Ray and Lin Emerson of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota (Erin, Kara and Ryan); numerous other family members; extended family (Shank, Howorth, and Crombie), many friends and former students.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Orin Newton and Marge Lois Emerson, and her dear friends, Jeanne Howorth and Edith Shank.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 20, 2013, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 21, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic.

Mary's family would prefer that in leiu of flower's and plants, all memorials be made to the family, to be divided among the Atlantic Community Schools, per Mary's wishes.


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