Mary P. Mitchell Maiden 1931-2009

MAIDEN, MITCHELL, HILKEN, RHOMBERG, NEUHAUS, LENSTRA

Posted By: Judi Nicks (email)
Date: 5/28/2009 at 15:21:42

Telegraph Herald
Dubuque, Iowa
Thursday, May 28, 2009

Mary P. Maiden

Mary P. Maiden, 77, of Dubuque, passed away Monday, May 25, 2009, at The Finley Hospital, Dubuque, with her family by her side.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 29, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with the Rev. Steven Rosonke officiating. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery Mausoleum. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. today at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home, 3860 Asbury Road, where there will be a wake service at 7 p.m.

She was born on Nov. 15, 1931, in St. Catherine, Iowa, daughter of Edwin and Florence (Hilkin) Mitchell. She married Frank Maiden in St. Catherine; he preceded her in death on Dec. 21, 2006.

She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

In 1969, Mary began driving school bus for the Dubuque Community School District.

She was the first female school bus driver. Over the next 43 years, she drove several generations of students in bus No. 135. Mary was devoted to her job, and loved driving the kids every day.

She was an avid NASCAR fan, especially Jeff Gordon. She was a member of the Red Hat Society. Mary enjoyed traveling with the girls in the Birthday Club, and also liked to garden. She tended to the flowers in her yard, and also liked to feed the birds, especially doves.

Mary was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, and will be missed by those whose lives she touched.

Surviving are five sons, Dan (Lynn) Maiden, of Arlington, Texas, Keith (Carol) Maiden, of Kaufman, Texas, Todd (Kate) Maiden, of New Diggings, Wis., and Patrick Maiden and Chris Maiden, both of Dubuque; a daughter, Connie Rhomberg, of Dubuque; 14 grandchildren, including two raised by Frank and Mary, Melissa Neuhaus and Cassie Maiden, both of Dubuque; 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Loras (Ann) Mitchell, of St. Catherine, and John (Rosie) Mitchell, of Dubuque; and a sister, Gloria Lenstra, of Dubuque.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter-in-law, Robin Maiden; and a son-in-law, Charles Rhomberg.

In lieu of flowers, a Mary P. Maiden Memorial Fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hoffmannschneiderfuneralhomes.com .

Mary's family would like to extend a special thank-you to Dr. Whalen,

Dr. Hermann, and the nursing staff of Tri-State Dialysis for their care of Mary.