Mary Kay Dettmann (1938-2021)

DETTMANN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/15/2021 at 22:36:05

MARY KAY DETTMANN Clarence Mary Kay Dettmann, formerly of Clarence and Iowa City, passed away on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at the age of 83 at Swedish Hospital, Seattle, Wash., from cardiac arrythmias. A memorial service will be held at St. John's United Church of Christ in Clarence on Sunday, Aug. 1, at 1:30 p.m., followed by a time of fellowship. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery in Clarence, Iowa. Mary Kay was born at home in Clarence, Iowa, on May 29, 1938, to John and Norma (Stange) Dettmann; she was the oldest of three children. Mary Kay was a lifelong member of St. John's United Church of Christ, where she was baptized and confirmed. She graduated in 1956 from Clarence Community Schools, followed by completing nursing training at St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After receiving her nursing diploma she enjoyed a four-decade career in pediatric nursing, working at hospitals in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Kansas City, Rochester, Minn., Washington, D.C., and Denver. After retirement she lived in Coralville, Iowa, and in October 2020 moved to Seattle, Wash., to be near her sister. Mary Kay enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and North America and Europe with friends and family; one special trip was a cruise with her sister through the Inside Passage from Seattle to Alaska to celebrate her 80th birthday. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, attending concerts, festivals and lectures, collecting items for a doll house built for her by her father, and dining out. Mary Kay was noted for always remembering every birthday and holiday by sending cards to extended family and friends. She will be greatly missed. Surviving Mary Kay are her sister, Marcia (Phil) Killien; nieces, Catharine and Elizabeth Killien of Seattle; sister-in-law, Sharon Dettmann, and niece, Dorie Dettmann, of Davenport; nephew, Lee (Michelle) Dettmann of Thornton, Colo., and great-nephew, Alex Dettmann of Tucson, Ariz. Mary Kay was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Wayne. Chapman Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.chapmanfh.com. Condolences to the family may be sent to Marcia at: 10050 41st Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98125. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Kay's memory may be sent to St. John's United Church of Christ, Clarence, Iowa and Mary's Place, women's and family shelter (P.O. Box 1711, Seattle WA 98111).
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Published by The Gazette on Jul. 14, 2021.