Mary Ann Patricia (Ruzicka) Cory

Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 460 NW Washington Avenue, Elkhart, IA 50073. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 6, 2023 at the church. There will be a Rosary held at the church following the visitation at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 6, 2023. Burial will be held at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Ankeny Memorial Gardens, 4208 N Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50023.

Mary Ann was born September 14, 1922 on a farm near Ames, Iowa. She was the only child of Paul and Lizzie (Donaghy) Ruzicka. They lived in rural Hollandale, Minnesota when she started education in a country one room schoolhouse. She walked about three quarters of a mile to and from school. Half-way through 3rd grade, they moved back to Elkhart area, where she attended Elkhart Consolidated Schools, graduating as valedictorian of the class of 1940. She then went on to Drake University, graduating with a teaching certificate in 1942. She taught elementary school in Baxter, Iowa and Story City, Iowa. Over the years, she kept in touch with many of her students and just this summer, visited with a 90 year old man living in Des Moines, who told her she was always his favorite teacher.

She married Ira Patrick Cory, of Elkhart, Iowa on November 21, 1944, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she was a member since 1940. She especially cherished the time they shared together when he was on leave from the U.S. Navy.

In 1948, Mary Ann joined Ira in farming operations. They rented their first farm in Ankeny where they lived and worked for 20 years. Later, they moved across the road to another farm. Mary Ann always enjoyed working in the fields and driving equipment. She often said “If the house work would get done, I would just stay out in the fields.”

Mary Ann and Ira had four children, Elizabeth, Thomas, Michael and Joseph. When her kids were all in school, she would substitute teach. She also worked in the Election Polls for Douglas Township for 20 years.

Mary Ann enjoyed social and service clubs. She was a member of the Merry Makers Neighborhood Club in 1948, and fondly recalled the early days when other nearby farm wives would get together each month to socialize and do crafts, bringing their kids with them. She also enjoyed the Elkhart Garden Club, and throughout her life, always appreciated beautiful and distinctive flowers and plants. She was an active member and past officer of the Albaugh-McGovern American Legion Auxiliary for 82 years, starting in 1941. She was gratified to see her daughter Elizabeth, granddaughter, Susan, and great granddaughter, Ashley continue the tradition she started of serving in this organization.

Mary Ann loved to read and do the daily crossword puzzle. She would clip out and share news articles and obituaries. She played the organ, enjoyed cribbage, flower gardening and embroidery. In the past few years, especially during the pandemic, she created a special quilt for each of her 18 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren sewing the final ones all the way though spring of this year. She kept up to speed with son, Mike, who checked in daily to share news in the community. Over the past few years, she prayed the Rosary each morning with her son, Tom, and enjoyed visits throughout the year from her son, Joe, for whom she would prepare special treats like Iowa corn, homemade pies or cherry delight to share. She loved drop in visits from her many grandchildren.

Mary Ann loved to travel. She and Ira enjoyed many road trips together, especially during their retirement years when they had the time to stop at whatever places seemed interesting along the way. They loved lake fishing in Minnesota with their family, winter drives to California and Oregon, and visit to Hawaii. After Ira passed, her daughter, Elizabeth and son-in-law, Scott, made sure she continued her adventures. They took her on several trips, helping her reach her goal of visiting all 50 states. They also accompanied her on a trip abroad to France, Spain, and Portugal where she bathed in the healing waters at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Mary Ann also enjoyed two cruises: one to Alaska and another to the Caribbean with three of her four children and their spouses, visiting Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

She is survived by her four children, Elizabeth Mitchell, Thomas (Mary) Cory, Michael (Sheri) Cory and Joseph (Monica) Cory; 18 grandchildren, Bill (Lora) Whitmore, Paul and Tim Whitmore, Susan Thompson, Renee (Al) Friedrichsen, Alison (Troy) Nickel, T.J. (Shawn) Cory, Larry (Nickole) Cory, Spencer (Elisa) Cory, Gavin (Silvana) Cory, Luke (Bailey) Cory, James I. Cory, Lorinda Cory, Jason Cory, Adam (Avery) Cory, Chris (Breanna) Cory, James C. Cory and Tess Cory; 30 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren and a host of extended family. She is preceded in death by her husband; parents and two sons-in-law, Bill Whitmore and Scott Mitchell.

Resourceful, responsible, and loyal, Mary Ann was the epitome of the Greatest Generation. Greatly loved, she will be greatly missed.

In loving memory of Mary Ann, memorials may be directed to the family.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AnkenyFuneralHome.com for the Cory family.