White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

WATERLOO - Mary A. Erpelding, 75 years old of Waterloo, IA, died Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at Pinnacle Specialty Care in Cedar Falls, IA.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. – Friday, November 15, 2024, at the White Funeral Home, Jesup, IA. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Old Barclay Cemetery, Jesup, IA.

Mary was born to William Nicholas Erpelding and Ethel (Rigdon) Erpelding on August 28, 1949, in Waterloo, IA. She was born deaf. Mary attended the School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and graduated in 1967. It was a challenge for the family and Mary to go to school so far away. Part of her stay was with her sister Margaret who attended college nearby. In the summer Mary was home on the family farm. She enjoyed all the animals, especially her horse and the dogs. She helped Bruce with the farm chores and helped her mom in the garden. Brother Doug said Mary did not let the handicap of hearing overcome her sharp mind or sense of humor. One day as we were visiting by writing notes: instead of putting the pen to the paper Mary put the pen to her mouth like she was in deep thought. She looked upward and after a few seconds of hesitation she wrote, “I had a thought, but a little bird came and stole it away.” She enjoyed getting together with other deaf women for gatherings, she was chosen to be the secretary of the group because they said she could write English the best. She also went with this group to craft shows. She was crafty and enjoyed making things for her family. Mary was the happiest when Kim her interpreter was with Mary and was very expressive with her sign language. Mary has been in Pinnacle Specialty Care since 2021. She had many favorite staff that she sought out for assistance. Her favorite thing was going shopping and out to eat with her friend Tracy or sister-in-law, Jan. In recent weeks she received awesome support from the Unity Point Hospice team. They surprised and thrilled her with a visit from Turbo the pony.

Mary is survived by three brothers and one sister; Wendall Erpelding, Jesup, Margaret Strozensky, Dayton, Ohio, Doug (Jennie) Erpelding, Orlando, Florida, Bruce (Jan) Erpelding, Jesup; nieces and nephews, Brenda Schmit, Teresa Merkel, Jason, Matt, Zach Erpelding, Mark Strozensky and Michelle Mason.

She was proceeded in death by her parents and two sister in-laws, NevaMae and Lisa Erpelding; brother-in-law, Milo Strozensky; nephew Warren Erpelding and nieces Connie Soppe and Rachel Erpelding.

Memorials will be directed to UnityPoint Hospice in Waterloo.

Online condolences may be posted at www.White-MtHope.com.

White Funeral Home in Jesup is in charge of the arrangements.