Mary E. Wertz May

Mary Elizabeth Wertz May, 73, of Creston, was a loving mom, grandma and friend. She went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 14, 2022. A celebration of life will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at Crestmoor Golf Club, 1801 W. Townline Street, Creston, with family receiving friends from 1:30 - 3 p.m.

Memorial contributions are directed to the family to establish a nursing scholarship at Southwestern Community College. Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Mary was born to Roscoe and Edith (Simmons) Wertz, Sept. 30,1948, in Clarinda, Iowa. As a child, she enjoyed helping her dad on the family farm. She attended elementary school in Clearfield and Maloy, Iowa; middle school in Redding, Iowa, and graduated from Mount Ayr Community High School in 1966. Mary went on to attend the Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in Des Moines, Iowa, and became a registered nurse in 1969. She married in 1969 and moved to Chula Vista, California, in 1970, where she lived, worked and raised a family until 2005, when she moved to Newburgh, Indiana. Mary moved to Creston in 2007, where she worked remotely for Scripps Mercy Hospital and Shield Global Partners.

Mary had a fulfilling nursing career at Bay General / Scripps Mercy Hospital, Chula Vista, for 27 years. While she loved being a nurse, her favorite role was that of mom and grandma. Her family meant everything to her. She had a generous heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Mary had a great sense of humor and could laugh at herself. She was always ready for fun and adventure.

Mary is loved and missed by her son, Ryan May, and granddaughter Camilla May of San Diego, California; daughter Leslee (Wayne) Collins and granddaughters Kaylee and Kara Collins of Newburgh, Indiana, and her companion of 15 years, Allyn Monaghan, of Creston, Iowa, as well as countless friends in California, Indiana and Iowa.

“Beloved brothers and sisters, we want you to be quite certain about the truth concerning those who have passed away, so that you won’t be overwhelmed with grief like many others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who died while believing in Him.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14