Mary Anna Pitzen, 98, of Stacyville, Iowa died on Monday, March 12, 2012, at Mitchell County Regional Health Center, Osage, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at Visitation Catholic Church, Stacyville, with Father Jack McClure CPPS officiating. Burial will be in the Visitation Cemetery, Stacyville. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 16, 2012, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Visitation Catholic Church with a rosary at 4:30 p.m. and a scripture service at 7:30 p.m. Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, of St. Ansgar, Iowa is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Anna was born on June 1, 1913, in Randolph, Neb., to James and Anna (Gubbels) Reding. Her family moved to Stacyville when she was 5 years old. She married Alfred Pitzen on Sept. 2, 1936, at Visitation Catholic Church, Stacyville. Mary worked beside Alfred on the farm helping where needed especially taking care of the calves. She was able to be outside and cook a wonderful meal in the house at the same time. After retirement from the farm they moved to Stacyville in 1978.

Mary was active in Christian Mothers and Catholic Order of Foresters as well as being a 4-H Club leader for many years. Family always came first to Mary, who loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed flowers and her garden, quilting, refinishing furniture, oil painting and playing cards. Mary was famous for hosting her Sunday morning breakfast for family and serving her homemade cinnamon rolls.

Mary is survived by her children, Gene (Cheryl Renwick) Pitzen of Stacyville, Ronnie (Becky) Pitzen of Stacyville, Mary Jane (Jim) Mauer of Lisle, Ill., Betty Ann (Marly) Stoltenberg of Mason City, Iowa, Carol (Vaughn) Rossum of Osage, Iowa; son-in-law Doug Malo of Brookings, S.D.; daughter-in-law Vernie Pitzen of Austin, Minn.; 25 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren; brother Melvin (Bernice) Reding of Stacyville and sister Anna Kramer of Dubuque, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her husband, son James, daughter Rosalie Malo, daughter-in-law Jane Pitzen, parents, infant brother Joseph and sister Alvina Brown.

Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, Iowa. 641-713-4920. www.schroederandsites.com