Mary E. Meister Thomas

Mary E. Meister Thomas, 62 of Keokuk, IA passed away Sunday, December 7, 2025 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, IA.
She was born July 19, 1963 in Keokuk, IA the daughter of Jack Haessig and Mae Lu Basye Meister. Mary graduated from Keokuk High School with the class of 1981 and later from Dayton Cosmetology College.
Mary was united in marriage to Andrew Svejda, and together they welcomed one son, Daniel. They later divorced.
She was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ and the Southside Boat Club in Keokuk. Over the years, Mary worked at several local businesses and was a familiar face to many. She tended bar at the Tee Pee Lounge and Lucky's and most recently served as bar manager at the Southside Boat Club. She was also a licensed cosmetologist and a licensed travel agent with Gemini Travel.
Mary loved traveling to Colorado, especially to watch the buffalo roam. She enjoyed cardinal birds, the Christmas season, and collecting Santa figurines. She also loved motorcycle rides, watching her favorite shows, "The Andy Griffith Show" and "I Love Lucy" and spending time with her beloved cats, Gemma and Mew Mew. Mary was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan.
She is survived by her partner, Robert Seltzer of Keokuk; her son, Daniel Svejda (Jeannie) of Keokuk; three grandchildren, Ethan, Evelyn, and Esme Cochenour, three bonus grandchildren, Lillian, Clara, and Natalie Seltzer; her sister, Minda VanAusdall (John) of Keokuk, two brothers, Larry Meister (Nancy) of Evergreen, CO and John Meister (Christie) of Newport, OR, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Jeff Meister.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the family for expenses.