Photo courtesy of Smith Funeral Home, Crematory, & Monument - Grinnell
Grinnell, Iowa
Aug 11, 1932 – Jan 17, 2017 (Age 84)
Mary L. Curry, 84, of Grinnell and formerly of rural Deep River, died on Tuesday, January 17, 2017, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 21, 2017, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with Rev. Stuart Rethwisch, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of rural Victor, officiating. Casket Bearers will be her grandchildren, Sarah Hay, Jonathan Ziegenmeyer, Stefanie Latimer, Skyler Ahrens, Casie Ahrens, Kenzie Milani, Ryan Ahrens, Whitney Kunes, Rebecca Ahrens, Katie Gardner, Ryder Curry, Malona Cavenaugh, Spencer Curry and Jessie Curry. Interment will be at the Barnes City Cemetery. Mary was born on August 11, 1932, in Grinnell, Iowa to William and Winifred Proctor Grandstaff. She was raised in Grinnell, attended Grinnell schools and graduated from Grinnell High School. Mary was united in marriage to Raymond Ahrens in January of 1952, and to this union was born five children, Teresa, William, Kenneth, Russell and Laura. The family lived on a farm in Sheridan Township, and she was a mother, a homemaker and assisted with the farm operation. On May 26, 1985, she was united in marriage to Les Curry at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grinnell. Mary and Les enjoyed living on their acreage near Deep River, where she enjoyed gardening and raising flowers. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her husband in their travel trailer at his work sites. Mary also found time to do water colorings and china painting. Mary was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and the American Legion Auxiliary in Deep River. Survivors include her husband, Les Curry of Grinnell; her children, Teresa (Dan) Ziegenmeyer and Bill (Janet) Ahrens, both of Grinnell, Kenneth Ahrens of Houston, TX, Russell (Cathy) Ahrens of Scottsdale, AZ and Laura (Jerry) Hamlett of Eolia, MO; two step sons, Gary (Penny) Curry of Colorado Springs, CO and Scott (Colleen) Curry of Newton, IA; ten grandchildren; four step grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; and three step great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Claudine Koger, Virginia Prusha and Shirley Harter; and two brothers, Gene and Ronald Grandstaff.
Les, I had no idea your wife just passed since moving.We send our sincere sympathy.I see she was a sister to Gene Grandstaff, whom I knew through my girlfriend, whose sister was married to Gene. Trust you will enjoy living at Seeland. John and Betty
Betty westercamp
January 26, 2017 | GRINNELL, IA | Friend
Sorry for you loss. I worked with Laura at the phone company several years ago.
Nancy Couper
January 21, 2017 | Newton, IA | Friend
Mary always showed an appreciation in the little things of beauty. I'm glad that she had the love and support of Les for many years up until her passing. Rest in peace, Mary.
Marilyn Terlouw
January 21, 2017 | NEWTON, IA
Dear Ahrens family, Mom Carol Plum-Freese told me that your mother has died. My condolences to all of you. My memories consist of our families doing things together when we were much younger ... at church, at each other's homes, skating, school. And later in life, as Mary, Mom, and others continued to stay in touch. May your memories help console all of you
Debi Plum Helgren
January 20, 2017 | Fairfax, MN
I will always remember the tea and visits when she came over to visit with our mom(Doris Fenner) growing up. . They were always laughing and sharing stories.
Mary always had a smile and her drawings of miniature tea parties, mice and writing on birthday and Christmas cards in every space of the card made me smile. (Sometimes I'd have to get a magnifying glass out to read the ending.)
She was a wonderful person. Loved and was so proud of her family and grandchildren. She will be...
Julie Meldrem
January 20, 2017 | Ottumwa, IA | Family Friend
I loved spending time with Aunt Mary and other relatives at Grandma's house on Friday after school. Every spring I'd watch them make horseradish. Oh the smells. Her suet pudding was always a special treat at Christmas time. Aunt Mary was such a loving person. We will all miss her very much.
Connie Nikkel
January 19, 2017 | Altoona, IA | Family
Mary and my mother were best friends as I grew up and I'm so glad to have got to spend a lot of time with them over tea and cookies. I would always look forward to getting a card from her as it would be filled out from top to bottom with her words of wisdom and always a drawing of tea and cookies on a platter. I was blessed to have known her and her family all these years! I will never forget my visit last fall with her she walked me to my pickup and hugged me and then picked up a cat at her...
james fenner
January 19, 2017 | Ottumwa, IA | Family Friend
Laura, and the rest of the family, Deepest and Sincere Sympathy to the passing of your loved one. You are in my prayers and thoughts at this time
Barbara Wolf
January 19, 2017 | Grinnell, IA | Coworker
Dear ones,
You are in our hearts and in our prayers at this very sad time in your lives. Aunt Mary was very dear to me growing up and all through our Adult live's as you truly know. God bless you all at this time and always. Love Polly and Bill
Polly Bouska
January 18, 2017 | Family
