Obituaries : Mary Jane Karr Mether

Mary Jane Karr Mether, 93, formerly of Maquoketa, Iowa passed away August 20, 2025 at Stonehill Health Center in Dubuque, Iowa.

Mary was born July 24, 1932, in La Porte City, Black Hawk County, Iowa, and was the only child of Monroe and Lillian (Lamos) Karr. A 1950 graduate from La Porte City School where she was active in vocal and instrumental music and cheerleading. After graduation she was employed by the local newspaper, The Progress Review.

She was married on October 19, 1951 to Lloyd R. Mether in the First Methodist Church at La Porte City, Iowa. This union was dissolved in 1974.

She was a homemaker until the youngest child began school and then she began to further her education. She received the Associates Arts degree from Mount St. Clare College in 1975, the Bachelor of Arts from Marycrest College in 1977 where she graduated with high honors, and the Master of Arts from University of Northern Iowa in 1985 and was awarded one of the last state of Iowa permanent teaching certificates.

She was hired immediately as the Vocational Education Instructor for the MOC Program in the Belle Plaine, Iowa school district before accepting a position at the Eastland Community school in Lanark, Illinois. After retirement she moved to Maquoketa and continued as a substitute teacher at North Scott Schools in Eldridge, Iowa.

Mary enjoyed traveling, reading, dancing, sewing and volunteering at the Hurstville Interpretive Center, Jackson County Regional Health Center, Maquoketa Caves Tourist Center, and spending time with her family. She was a member of the First Methodist Church, Miriam Circle, AWBA/USBC, Garden Club, Eastern Iowa Polka Club, New Hope Support Group of DeWitt, Preservation Society of Moline and Moline Viking Club. She was a past member of the NEA/EEA, NIVA, Delta Pi Epsilon-Alpha Tau and Alpha Phi chapters, and East End Boulders Club and Moose Lodge #235 in East Moline and many years ago, a Cub Scout Den Mother. Also served on the Jackson County, Iowa Planning & Zoning Commission for nine years.

Mary is survived by her four children: Byron (Susan) Mether of East Peoria, Illinois, Lynda (Dean) Martin of Monticello, Iowa, Gordon (Tari) Mether of Naples, Florida, and Barton Mether of Amherst, Wisconsin; four grandchildren, Derek and Jeremy (Byron) Mether, and Jacquelyn Dehn and Bruce (Lynda) Martin; five great grandsons; Dalton (Jacquelyn) Dehn, Austin, Carter, Bentley and Wyatt (Bruce) Martin and two great granddaughters, Autumn and Harper (Austin) Martin; and many thoughtful and loyal friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and grandson Seth (Gordon) Mether and a special friend James Merrick. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hospice of Dubuque County Iowa or Stonehill Communities.

Memorial services will be held at Carson Celebration of Life Center, Maquoketa, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 11 A.M. with burial in the Cascade Protestant Cemetery, Jones County, Iowa. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 10 to 11 A.M. at the funeral home.

Online Condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.