Mary Ann Hudecek

Mary Ann Hudecek, 86, of Columbus passed away Sept. 21, 2022, at Hooverwood Living nursing home in Indianapolis after a long illness. She was born May 29, 1936, in Cresco, Iowa, the oldest of five children of the late Orvie and Helen (Wacha) DeWalle.

Mary Ann grew up on a farm and rarely knew a day without hard work - often holding down two jobs throughout her life. She was a skilled florist with a keen eye for color and composition. She owned her own flower shop (Flowers by Mary Ann) and continued creating stunning floral arrangements for decades after she sold it.

But her true love was hosting dinners and parties -- any reason to get together with family and friends. Thanksgiving dinners were legendary at the Hudecek household: one year the banquet had 27 dishes. She and John, her beloved husband of 57 years, were the first on the dance floor and the last to leave, especially if Elvis was singing. They liked nothing better than attending the kids' and grandkids' and great-grandkids far-flung activities - from concerts and Off-Broadway shows to football games and cross country meets. They reveled in their role as Band Booster presidents and brought a sense of humor and spirit of generosity to all their endeavors. In Mary Ann, a truer, more devoted and giving friend could not be found.

Mary Ann graduated from Notre Dame High School in Cresco and trained at the American Floral Art School in Chicago. She and John married June 4, 1956 and moved to Columbus in 1963. While raising their family, Mary Ann worked in retail and also was an office manager in mental health. She was active in the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, the local chapter of the American Association of Medical Assistants, Sertoma Club and Volunteers in Medicine. She sang and volunteered at several Catholic churches, most recently at Holy Trinity parish in Edinburgh.

She is survived by daughters Karla Hudecek (Malcolm Moran) of Zionsville, IN; and Kellie (Mark) Gallerani of Greensboro, N.C.; son Eric (Kim Shipley) of Indianapolis; daughter-in-law Cindy Hudecek of Columbus; brothers David DeWalle of Marion, IA, and Tom DeWalle (Wendy Toyama) of Chapel Hill, N.C.; brother-in-law Jerry (Shirley) Hudecek of Mason City, IA; grandchildren Kristen (Stephen) Shipley of Columbus; Michael Hudecek of Portland, OR; Allison Gallerani (Matt Tappin) of San Francisco, CA; Ryan Gallerani of Chicago; Anna Gallerani of Durham, N.C.; Erica Gallerani of Los Angeles, CA; Grant Moran of Chicago; T.J. Moran of Bloomington, IN; and two great-granddaughters, Mary and Frances Sparks of Columbus.

In addition to her parents, Mary Ann was predeceased by her husband John Hudecek in 2014; cherished son Ed Hudecek; brother Steve DeWalle; sister Marlene Riha; brothers-in-law Martin and Frank Hudecek; and great-nephew Elliott Marlowe DeWalle.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Fr. Clem Davis officiating. Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Life's Journey Hospice or Holy Trinity Catholic Church through the funeral home.

You are invited to view her video tribute, light a virtual candle or send a message of condolence to the Hudecek family via the funeral website: www.jewellrittman.com.