Florence Marie “Mary” Emrick, 97, of Iowa City, formerly of Clinton, passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City from complications from Covid-19. Cremation rites have been accorded. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, August 31st at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Clinton, with Fr. Steve Witt officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will be at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery, Clinton. The Pape Funeral Home, Clinton, Iowa is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.
Mary was born on May 6, 1923 in Otter Creek, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Sarah “Sadie” (Slattery) Nelson. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School and the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Clinton. Mary served as a registered nurse for the US Navy Corps during WWII where she met her husband, Edwin Vandergrift Emrick. As a nurse, she worked in various capacities, retiring as an Industrial Nurse for E.I. DuPont, Clinton, in 1990. Mary was a member of Prince of Peace Parish and its Ladies Auxiliary. She was a volunteer for Prince of Peace Catholic Church, The Canticle, RSVP, and Meals on Wheels. She received the Governor’s Volunteer Award in 1999.
Mary is survived by her four children, Susan Batista of Omaha, NE, Carol (Jeff) Ebinger of Iowa City, James (Julie) Emrick of Belleville, WV, Allen (Kathy) Emrick of Washington, WV; seven grandchildren, Brian (Jody) Valet, Becky Valet, Alex (fiancé Lindsey Daugherty) Ebinger, Tracy (Jesse) Beha, Tanya (Rae) Pascua, Michael Allman and Jill Allman; great granddaughter Alexis Beha; son-in-law Gerald Valet of Kansas City, MO; two sisters, Eunice Nelson of Clinton and Madonna Tingleff of Des Moines; her brother, Joseph (Judy) Nelson of Clinton; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Lynn Valet, grandson Eric Ebinger, nephew Robby Tingleff, niece Cheryl Tingleff, and brother-in-law Robert Tingleff.
My deepest sympathy to you all for your loss. She was a gem, for sure!!! I will forever have fond memories of saying the rosary with her, and her laughing that I still called her Mrs. Emerick, as she thought I should be calling her Mary!!! I can only imagine how happy she is now.
My love and prayers to all.
I was saddened to read of your mom’s passing. I have fond memories of her and the Emricks at St. Pats. She was very sweet and a prolific volunteer. I know my mom, Mary Maxine Gordon, treasured her friendship. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
With sympathy,
Ann (Gordon) Bader
Susan, my sympathy to you and all of your family. I remember your mom as a very sweet lady. She always had a smile and friendly greeting for me when I came over to your house. I know you have lots of memories to help you treasure the time you had together. Hugs and prayers
for you.
Im so sorry for your loss Jim
My prayers and sympathy to you the family.
Your mother was a beautiful woman in every way.
I had some short visits with her when she volunteered at the Canticle.
She would give me loving updates about her beautiful daughters
remembering that I taught at MSCA.
Peace to all of the family.
Knew Mary very well. A dear friend,many coffee times at her house or a local coffee shop My sympathy to her children,who she loved very much.A virtual hug to a,m
Nurses in WWII were a special breed. What an awesome person! What a loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you
Mary Flo was an outstanding role model and aunt. She loved her family, including the extended ones and opened her home to all of us. She was a gift to all of us and the Clinton community throughout her life. Her faith was very important to her and I know that she will be received into eternal life for the life she lived on this earth. My prayers to all left to cherish her memory. God bless Mary Flo!
Mary was a great lady who I knew from my years at DuPont. I knew Carol, Jim and Al and wish to send my condolences to the entire family. I knew them well and loved them much. Great family. RIP Mary, you will be missed greatly by all who knew you!