Mary Strong

Mary Ellen (Enyart) Strong, daughter of Hollis and Velma Enyart was born February 1, 1930, in Postville, Iowa.  She passed away on Friday, June 25, 2021, at the age of 91.

Mary was baptized in the Presbyterian Church, which she later joined.  She eventually transferred to the Illyria Community Church.

She attended Grand Meadow County School through the seventh grade and finished eighth grade and graduated from Postville High School. 

On December 23, 1952, Mary was married to Myrten Strong.  To this union were born two sons, David and Robert, and a daughter, Cindy Sue (deceased).

Mary and Myrten farmed near Postville and Frankville, Iowa.  They later moved to Elgin, where they farmed until 1973.  While they were farming, they received a Farm Bureau Safety Award for Iowa. 

Mary was active in the Illyria Township Farm Bureau Women’s Group, belonged to the Illyria Ladies’ Aid and taught Sunday School for several years.  She was also a member of the Elgin Historical Society, Progress Club, and Questers. 

Mary worked at Bostrom’s for a few years, owned and operated The Coffee Cup in Elgin and worked at the Mini-Mall in Elkader.  Myrten and Mary also lived in California for a number of years.

Mary enjoyed taking care of her nieces and nephews and other small children.  She had an embroidery machine and did many lovely embroidery pieces.  She also made many beautiful, pieced quilts.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Myrten, an infant daughter, Cindy Sue, her parents, Hollis and Velma Enyart, a sister, Ellen Schroeder, her father and mother-in-law, Harold and Zella Strong, brother and sister-in-law, Chuck and Peggy Strong, sister-in-law, Lantha Staffenhagen and brother-in-law, Arthur Strong. 

Survivors include two sons, David (Jill) and Bob (Becky), four grandchildren, Samantha (Lorenzo) Leon, Cody (Reilly) Mathews, Jessica (Danny) Jimenez and Jennifer Kane, four great-grandchildren, Charlie Leon, Layla Jimenez, Max Kane and Ozz Kane.  Also, JoDee and Bernie Sherwood, Austin, Asami and Samantha, her brother, Robert Enyart, brother and sister-in-law, Kenny and Bev Strong, sister-in-law, Pat Strong and her dear friend, Anna Wenger, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.