Mary Elizabeth (Elliott) Hedlund -2008

HEDLUND, ELLIOT

Posted By: Bobbie Knudsen (email)
Date: 5/25/2009 at 19:55:03

The Des Moines Register
August 1, 2008

MARY ELIZABETH (ELLIOTT) HEDLUND

Modesto, CA

Mary passed away June 6 at Evergreen Care Center in Modesto Ca. from severe complications with her lower back.

She was born in Carlisle, Iowa to John and Minnie Elliott. She married Jay Hedlund in March of 1944 and moved to Des Moines to start their new life. Retirement moved them first to Belle Vista, Arkansas and then to Payson, Arizona. After Jay died in 1999, Mary moved to Modesto, California in 2000 to be closer to her son and family.

Mary’s life was occupied by a 40 year career in accounting, a large family of siblings and nieces and nephews, a love of dancing she shared with Jay and a larger life in the Methodist Church. She was raised in the church in Carlisle, spent her working years as a Sunday school teacher and multiple office holder in Women’s Circle at Gatchel Methodist in Des Moines, and used part of her retirement time to help start new churches in Belle Vista, AK. and Payson, AZ. She concluded her church life as a member of Centenary United in Modesto, CA.

Mary loved to sew, had always enjoyed cards and during retirement learned to play golf, lawn bowling and bridge.

Mary is survived by her son James, daughter-in-law Linda, grandchildren Joseph, Jeffrey, Jeremy, and Heather, and great grandsons Randy and Thomas.

Services were held on June 16 in Modesto Ca. and graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday August 8 at Highland Memorial Gardens in Des Moines.