TOMLINSON, Mary A. (1934-2021)

TOMLINSON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/4/2022 at 15:23:30

Mary Ann Tomlinson
(November 5, 1934 - July 3, 2021)

Funeral Mass for Mary Ann Tomlinson, 86, who passed away Saturday, July 3, 2021 at home, will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 8, 2021 at Church of Assumption Catholic Church, Churchville, IA. Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery, Churchville.
She was so much good wrapped up into one little woman. At her core she was rooted in her love for her faith, family, and farming. Her faith was always so strong, and she embedded the same Catholic faith into her family. You could find her most every Sunday morning at Assumption Catholic Church. She typed and printed our church’s bulletin every week for many years, in fact growing up she was the best typist in her class, and her teacher would make the other students stop to listen to how fast she was.
She had a vast knowledge and passion for farming. Farming was always a huge part of her life, from growing up on a farm just east of Martensdale, to then instilling the hard-working farm life into her children. Her family was most important though. Being a mother to her nine children was one of her greatest joys. Mary Ann and Lee sure started one of the greatest families. You could always find her in the front row of any activity her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were partaking in. She was so proud of all of them, no matter what they were doing. She loved cooking Sunday dinner for anyone and everyone who would show up at her table over the years. All nine of her children agree though that of all the meals she made, fresh fried chicken and homemade mashed potatoes and gravy were her best. Some other top contenders that we will miss so much were her apple pie, potato salad, and beef and noodles. If the men were in the fields, she would even pack up the car and drive these big meals out to them. She also loved gardening and canning in the summer. In fact, she was still canning last summer.
She was an avid Iowa fan, specifically she loved to watch Hawkeye basketball. She loved to read anything and everything. Most of her nights consisted of grabbing a good book, and a bowl of dill and butter popcorn. Nights that her family joined her, she loved to play cards and board games. She also loved the hunt of a good bargain at a garage sale. She had her own sense of humor and would always make up witty little jingles to sing. We were blessed to learn so many life lessons from her over the years. Some of the most memorable were: If you could go out the night before, you could make it to church the next morning; You should never be bored, there’s always something you could be doing; If you find yourself in Indianola on Coney Dog Tuesday, grab one from A&W. We will miss seeing her smile so very much. To only have known MaryAnn was a pleasure, and to have loved her was our honor.
She is survived by her children, Mike (Karen) Tomlinson, Kathy (Mike) Blackford, Mark (Sandy) Tomlinson, John (Jeanette) Tomlinson, Helen (Tom) Tometich, Karen (Brad) Prichard, Kim (John) Merriam, Gregg (Susan) Tomlinson, Lee (Jennifer) Tomlinson; 28 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; siblings, Patricia (Pat) George, Jim Seymour, Robert (Cathy) Seymour, Dolores (Jerry) Lemons, and Barb Kness. She was preceded in death by her husband Lee Tomlinson, her parents, John and Ethel Seymour, brother, John Seymour II, granddaughter, Melissa Knoll and grandson, Ed Blackford.
Visitation will be held 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 7at Overton Funeral Home with family present from 4 to 8 p.m. A Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Memorials may be given to the Calvary Cemetery or Assumption Shrine in her name.
This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/