Mary Ann (Stanerson) Cerhan, 16 Jan 1940 - 10 Dec 2024

CERHAN, STANERSON, SCHWARTING, SMITH, NEWMAN, PILKINGTON

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 12/19/2024 at 14:07:03

Mary Ann Cerhan, age 84, of Sun Lakes, Arizona passed away on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 after a long illness with dementia.

She was born in Conroy, Iowa on January 16, 1940 to Harlan and Esther (Schwarting) Stanerson, and she graduated from Conroy High School in 1958. After high school she moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to attend cosmetology school and obtained her beautician’s license in 1959. On October 25, 1961 she married Keith Allan Cerhan in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They cherished a loving marriage for 56 years, until Keith’s passing in 2017.

Mary Ann enjoyed a career as a major accounts commercial underwriter for Preferred Risk Insurance in Des Moines, Iowa for over twenty years before retiring. She was an active member of the Army Reserve Officers Association (ROA) and she and Keith chaired one of the organization’s national conventions in Des Moines, IA. In 2003 they retired in Sun Lakes, Arizona. Mary Ann was a classically trained pianist from the age of five, which gave her great joy later in life and throughout her struggle with dementia. She also had a passion for golf, travel, and sharing time with family and friends.

Mary Ann is survived by her son, James Cerhan (Jane); her daughter, Ann Smith (Don); grandchildren: Peter Cerhan (Mari); Leah Newman (Eric); Jack Cerhan, Caroline Smith, Natalie Smith, and Grant Smith; her sister, Sandy Pilkington and brother, Richard Stanerson (Judith).

A memorial service and burial in the Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery in Adel, Iowa is being planned for next spring. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or your local hospice organization.

Published in The Gazette on December 16, 2024.