Mary W. Zuch, 98, of Atlantic, Iowa passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, IA. Mary was born on July 31, 1905, the daughter of Mary (Mayme) and William Zuch and lived in Atlantic, IA. all of her life, attending the Atlantic schools, graduating in 1922. She taught country school then began working for Northwestern Bell April 4, 1927 until July 31, 1970, working as a telephone operator, supervisor and instructor before retiring. Mary was a lifetime member of the Telephone Company Pioneers. She was also a lifetime member of St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, an Altar & Society member and sang in the church choir for 40 years. Mary had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin and has said the rosary every day. Mary was a gentle lady who was thoughtful, kind and generous toward others. She had a sense of humor and loved to sing. Mary sang high soprano in the choir at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church for 40 years. After Mary was hospitalized in May of 2001, she was told that she would be in a wheel chair the rest of her life and entered the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center. Mary lived her life by faith and always appeared happy, so with her spunk and spirit and the therapy that she was given at ANRC, she walked with a walker. Mary"s family moved her to Ankeny, IA. to Sunny View Nursing Home on March 1st so she could be with family every day. However, after 2 weeks, Mary peacefully passed away on March 16. Mary is survived by a sister, Eileen Kjar of San Fernando, CA; six nieces, Patricia McDermott of Ankeny, IA., Kathy Hageman of Rochester, MN., Maggie Higday and husband Robert of Des Moines, IA., Patty Bailey and husband Glenn of Valencia, CA., Sue Palme and husband Jeffrey of Prescott, AZ., and Kathy Kjar of San Fernando, CA.; five nephews, Michael Irish and wife Evelyn, Bill Irish and wife Pat and Jimmy Zuch and wife Terri, all of Des Moines, IA., David Amdor and wife Barbara of Mission Viejo, CA. and Tom Sorenson and wife Debra of Mohave Valley, AZ., and many great nieces and great nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Msgr. Francis Zuch, James Zuch and William Zuch; three sisters, Margaret Troy, Agnes Amdor and Lucille Irish.Funeral Information

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