Mary L. Sears

Celebration of Life services, including a PEO service, were read for Mary L. Sears of Davenport, Iowa, at 3:00 p.m. Friday, September 26, 2008 at Weerts Funeral Home, Kimberly at Jersey Ridge, Davenport where the family greeted friends from 2:00 p.m. until time of service. Graveside services were Monday, September 29, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. at Oakdale Memorial Gardens, Davenport.

Mrs. Sears was born in 1929 to Amos C. and Ethel L. Lee. Amos was the Superintendent of Schools in Manning, Iowa, where Mary and her sisters, Virginia and Kathleen attended school. She married Arthur L. Sears on August 1, 1953, in West Des Moines, Iowa. He died October 20, 2002. A graduate of Valley High School in West Des Moines, she continued her education at the University of Iowa and graduated from Drake University, Des Moines, completing her graduate work at the former Marycrest College, Davenport. She taught elementary school in Pleasant Valley for 17 years. She also partnered with her husband for 20 years, in operation of their business, Sears Tent and Awning Co., Davenport as an administrative aide. She also was part of Sears Manufacturing, Davenport. Her memberships included Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Col. Davenport Historical Foundation, Putnam Museum, Children's Museum, PEO Chapter FJ, Delta Gamma Sorority, the former Jr. Board of VNA, Jr. League of QC, Jr. Symphony Board, National Education Association, and Iowa State Education Association.

Mary L. Sears, 78, died Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Genesis VNA, Bettendorf.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters.

Survivors include a daughter, Joan Louise Sears of Davenport; son, James Wickwire Sears of St. Louis, Minnesota; and sister, Helen (Warren) Hanks of Littleton, Colorado.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral or to Genesis Medical Center, East Campus.

Online condolences may be expressed to Mrs. Sears' family by visiting her obituary at www.WeertsFH.com.