Immel, Mary Elizabeth 1954-2013

IMMEL, NORRIS, WHEELER, PETERSON, BRYANT, CRAVEN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 12/30/2016 at 14:21:18

Mary Elizabeth Immel
Clive
1954 - 2013

Mary Elizabeth Immel, 58, passed away surrounded by family at her home in Clive, IA on January 15, 2013.

She did not let her battle with ovarian cancer diminish her joy of life. In the 19 months following her diagnosis, Mary enjoyed two of her daughters' weddings, the birth of her first grandchild, and trips to Austin, Ft. Lauderdale, Seattle, and Disney World.

Mary was born November 2, 1954, to Norval and Merna Norris in Davenport, IA. She graduated from Bettendorf HS in 1972 and Iowa State University in 1976. She married the love of her life Tim Immel on September 15, 1979. Tim and Mary have lived in Minneapolis, Charlotte, Suburban DC, and Chicago as well as 8 years in Jefferson City, MO where her two older daughters graduated from high school. They most recently lived in Clive, IA where her two younger daughters graduated from Valley High School. Mary was happily employed at Telligen (IFMC) in West Des Moines for the past 7 years.

Mary never stopped learning and therefore never stopped teaching. She had no shortage of interests, including gardening, reading, art, photography, crafts, religion and especially music. She was an accomplished percussionist (played in Iowa State Marching Band and Jefferson City Symphony) and spent many summers at Suzuki music camps with her daughters. She will be remembered as a loving and beautiful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Mary is survived by her husband of 33 years, Tim Immel and their four children Katie Immel, Julia Immel, Caroline (Matt) Wheeler, and Jane (Tim) Peterson and one grandchild, Charlotte Marie Wheeler. She is also survived by a sister, Kathleen Bryant of Newton, IA; many brothers and sisters-in-law; numerous nieces and nephews; and best friend of 50 years, Claire Craven of Waukee.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Norval and Merna Norris of Bettendorf, IA, and also her brother-in-law, Charles Bryant.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Totally Teal Toast; an Ovarian Cancer Awareness Fundraiser at totallytealtoast.com, or checks can be mailed to the Marsha Rivkin Center, 801 Broadway, Suite 701 Seattle, WA 98122. The family is grateful for the love and support of family and friends and extends a special thank you to Dr. Steven Heddinger and Amy Bell of Medical Oncology Associates in Clive, for all of their efforts. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Monday, January 21, at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266. Visitation will also be at Hamilton's on Sunday, January 20, from 5 to 7 p.m.
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/desmoinesregister/obituary.aspx?pid=162427508#sthash.V0oYYnh8.dpuf ~ The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa Sun 20 Jan 2013.