KREIS, Mary Frances 1941-2010

KREIS

Posted By: K. Kittleson
Date: 1/20/2010 at 16:26:55

FERTILE, IOWA - Mary Frances Kreis, 68, of Fertile died Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

A Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, at Fertile Lutheran Church with Lay Pastor David Halverson officiating. Inurnment will be in the spring at Winnebago Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark St., Forest City, and continue an hour prior to service at the church.

Mary was the daughter of Raymond and Vivian (Cegon) Kreis, born January 19, 1941, in Minneapolis, Minn. She grew up in Minneapolis and attended Basilica of St. Mary's school from first to eighth grade, then Hosterman Junior High until 1957. In 1956 she worked for Texas Bill Strength's record shop on Marquette Avenue in Minneapolis, which was very fun for her, because she got to meet many stars of county music.

In October 1958 she married Dan Uzalac. They resided in Minneapolis until 1960 and then later moved to New Hope. They had three children: Kevin Ray Uzalac, Michael Dean Uzalac and Darren (Patrick) Joseph Uzalac. The couple later divorced in 1970.

Mary worked at Honeywell from 1959-1961 then Montgomery Wards from 1971-1973. In 1973 she started at Robert Halls & Dana's in Crystal , Minn. In 1979 she married Marcus S. Lovik. The couple resided in Crystal, Minn., where Mary worked at Nortronics until 1984. Together they had a child, Holly Lynn Lovik. In 1983, they decided to move to Iowa.

In Iowa Mary worked at the Good Samaritan Day Care and in 1990 decided to work at Winnebago Industries in Forest City. She left Winnebago in 2006 so she could be the caregiver to Marcus.

In November 2009 she was diagnosed with lung cancer. The next month she underwent back surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatments all with a fighting attitude. On January 2, 2010, she developed complications and was admitted to the hospital. She later was transferred to Muse Norris Hospice Unit where she passed away surrounded by family and close friends.

Mary enjoyed gardening, cards, movies, walking, visiting with friends, going out to eat and small trips to see her grandchildren in Minnesota. Her time in Hawaii in 1995 and Orlando, Florida, in 2009 were her favorite trips. She loved animals, mostly Muffin, her miniature Schnauzer and her cats, Miz, Ben and Boots. She was known for her straightforward attitude and would never hesitate to say what was on her mind. She was a very caring person and always put others first. Mary was also known for her famous meatballs and meatloaf and was always willing to feed anyone in her home.

Mary is survived by her children, Kevin (Lisa) Uzalac, Michael (Maryna) Uzalac, Pat Uzalac and Holly Lovik. Surviving grandchildren include Ashley, Brittany, Lea, Savannah, Erika, Lexi, Julia, Christie and Stephanie, as well as four "furry" grandchildren, Mack, Giz, Roo and Lynx; close friend Earl Kilen, "special niece" Sheyanne Schultz, husband Stanley and son Ethan; cousins Bruce (Elsie) Tuholsky and Sandy (Dan) Deering and many great friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Vivian and Ray Kreis and Marcus Lovik.

Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 641-585-2685. www.petersenlundfh.com

[Published in Globe Gazette, January 13, 2010]