Mary “Joan” Jarding, 81, of Farley, passed away on Sunday March 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Visitation for Mary will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, Iowa. Visitation will also be held after 9 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am., Thursday, March 12, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. Steve Garner officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Farley.
Born August 15, 1944, in Dubuque, Iowa, she was the daughter of Art and Rita Duggan. She grew up with strong values of faith, hard work, and devotion to family—values she carried with her throughout her life.
On May 20, 1972, she married the love of her life, Marvin (MJ), and together they built a life on the family farm. As a devoted farm wife, she worked tirelessly alongside her husband—tending gardens, preparing meals for hungry crews during harvest, and making their house a warm and welcoming home.
In addition to her work on the farm, she shared her talents as a hairstylist, where she ran multiple salons and formed lasting friendships with her clients. She even rekindled this passion working in Farley at Jolene’s Hairstyle. Later, she worked as a lunch lady for Western Dubuque, where her warm smile and kind words brightened the days of many children.
Her greatest joy, however, was her family. She was a loving mother, and nothing brought her more happiness than watching her children grow and succeed. She was especially proud of her grandchildren, rarely missing a game, concert, birthday, or milestone. She prayed the rosary daily and often lit candles for special intentions. She enjoyed traveling, reading, canning (especially jam and spaghetti sauce for her grandkids), and trips to the casino.
She will be remembered for her steady kindness, gentle wisdom and strength, volunteerism, holiday gatherings, and the way she made everyone feel at home. Her love was constant and unconditional—a gift that will continue to shape her family for generations.
She is survived by her children, Keith, of Farley, Melissa (Dan) Ernzen, of Epworth, Jeff (Erin) Jarding, of Urbandale, and Joe (Beth) Jarding, of Farley; her cherished grandchildren, Jesse (fiance, Candace) Neuhaus, Jaime (Kaleb) Klar, Aubrianna, Isabella, and Jarrod Jarding, Emma (special friend, Jaxon), Erica (special friend, Logan), Isabel (special friend, Carson) Ernzen, Addison Jarding, Parker, Jackson, Ryder, and Hudson Cortese, Lauren and Carter Jarding; great-grandchild Evelyn Neuhaus; brothers and sisters-in-law, Irene (LeRoy) Wessels, Shirley (LeRoy) Biermann, Mike (Mary Lou) Duggan, Joyce Jarding, Deb Jarding, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws Marvin and Helen Jarding, grandson, Thaddeus Ernzen, and sisters and brothers-in-law: Marie Duggan, Elaine (Marvin) Konrardy, Loras Jarding, and Paul (Mary) Jarding.
The family would like to thank Mercy One-Dubuque and the University of Iowa Emergency for their compassion and care.
An Online video tribute may be viewed and online condolences left for the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com
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