Mary Lou Ness
June 9, 2017Share using:
Mary Lou Ness, 82, of Dubuque passed away Friday, June 9, 2017 at Hawkeye Care Center surrounded by her family.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at Leonard Funeral Home and Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd. with Rev. Dianne Grace officiating. Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery, Dubuque. Family and friends may visit from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 12, 2017 at the funeral home.
Mary was born in Dubuque on April 24, 1935 the daughter of Frank and Mildred (Stumpf) Parker. She received her education in Dubuque at Washington Junior High School and the old Central High School. In 1951 she married Neeleon “Neil” Ness. Together they raised six children and shared 57 years together before his passing in 2009. Mary worked in many Dubuque restaurants; the first was her mother’s restaurant M & L Café where she washed dishes. She would then move on to help some other local establishments such as The Metal Trades Club, The Copper Kettle, Riverside Bowl and the Cavalier. After that she owned and operated the Silver Stallion Tavern, M & L Restaurant, Ma’s Bakery and Georgiann’s Bridal Boutique. Mary was also a business agent for the Hotel, Restaurant, and Bartenders Union Local 527, and in 2016 she was inducted into their Hall of Fame. At the time of her appointment, she was the only female business agent in Iowa.
Mary enjoyed fishing, cooking, poker and the many trips taken to Las Vegas. Most importantly she loved spending time with her family and she will be greatly missed by many.
She is survived by her children, George (Mary) Ness of Dubuque, G. Rose (Phil) Lee of Highland, IL, Pamela (Robert) Baysinger of Dubuque, Sheldon (Joan) Ness of East Dubuque, IL, and Lorna (Eddy) Armstrong of Van Buren, AR, 20 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild and a brother Frank Bargman of Denver, CO.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Neil, a daughter Roxanne, four sisters and two brothers.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Hawkeye Care Center, Hospice of Dubuque and Dr. Kumor for all their wonderful care they gave to Mary.
