Mary Jean Gebhardt

Mary Regina (Baker) Gebhardt, the daughter of Joseph Lawrence and Katherine Agnes (Britten) Baker, was born March 22, 1927, on the family farm in Grant Township, south of Creston. Mary Jean entered eternal rest at her home in Van Meter on Nov. 17, 2017.

She attended Grant No. 4 (Harmony) Country School located to the corner south of their home place and east. Mary was the first leader of the Jolly Jills girls 4-H Club. She participated in Union County Rural Youth, serving as president and secretary. In 1954, she was voted as “Outstanding Rural Youth Member of Union County.”

Mary Jean married Charles Max Gebhardt on Nov. 5, 1955, at St. Malachy’s Catholic Church in Creston. Max and Mary Jean settled on Max’s farm near Conway.

In 1964, Max, Mary Jean and their five children moved to their farm at Van Meter. Mary Jean was active in the American Legion Auxiliary, Home Study Club, Community Club, Van Meter Music Boosters and St. John’s Altar Society and served as a board member of the Van Meter Senior Housing.

Survivors include her children, Sharon (James, Jr.) Braden of Macedonia, Ronald (Debbie) Gebhardt of Van Meter, Karen Gebhardt of Austin, Texas, Jane Gebhardt of Van Meter and Rita Gebhardt of Van Meter. Her grandchildren include Amanda (Dustin) Wright of Van Meter, Travis Gebhardt of Des Moines, Andrew Braden of Omaha, Nebraska, Jessica (Brian) Cervenka of Austin, Texas, and Jayme Perez of Austin, Texas.

Preceding Mary Jean in death were her parents; her husband; her five brothers and their spouses, Urban (Dorothy) Baker, Benno (Pauline) Baker, Edmund (Dorothy Ellen) Baker, Joseph (Catharine) Baker and Leo (Donna) Baker; and three sisters and their spouses, Theola (Dennis) Bradley, Bernardine (Hubert) Bradley and Coletta (Lyman) Bradley.

Mary Regina Baker Gebhardt of Van Meter died at home on Nov. 17, 2017, surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Adel with burial in Fairview Cemetery near DeSoto. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Family will also greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, at McCalley Funeral Home, 735 S. 14th St., in Adel with a Rosary starting at 7 p.m. followed by a time of sharing.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for future designation. Online condolences may be left at www.mccalleyfuneralhome.com.