Mary Christine Zerwas was born July 2, 1940, the daughter of Martin and Anna (Guse) Jensen. She passed away Saturday, December 22, 2012, at St. Anthony's Medical Center in Carroll, Iowa, at the age of 72.

Mary was born in Wadena, Minnesota. She received her education in the Battle Lake, Minnesota Schools graduating with the class of 1958. Mary earned her degree as a registered nurse from Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1960. After working as an RN in Minneapolis, Phoenix, Arizona, and Los Angeles, California, she was united in marriage to Arthur Zerwas in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 9, 1975. The couple was blessed with the birth of one daughter. They returned to Iowa and purchased the phone company in Westside from Arthur's father where Mary was the bookkeeper.

Mary enjoyed cooking, baking, flower gardening, jigsaw puzzles, listening to music, playing the piano, watching TV, and reading books. She and Arthur owned a lake home in Eagle Lake, Minnesota, where they liked to fish, relax, and visit the casinos in the area. One of Mary's most memorable trips was to Hawaii and she always looked forward to attending state phone conventions. Mary was a member of the Red Hat Society and loved socializing with her friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Gerhart and Maynard. Survivors include her husband, Art; one daughter, Kristine; one grandson; Luke; and one brother, Harold and his wife, Marybeth; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held 10:30 A.M., Thursday, December 27, 2012, at the United Church in Westside, Iowa.

Rev. Paul Seefeldt officiated the service and graveside rites held at the Westside Cemetery in Westside. Organist Janine Kock provided accompaniment for congregational hymns, "Amazing Grace," "Be Not Afraid," and "What A Friend We Have In Jesus." The family invited everyone to return to the church for fellowship and lunch provided by the United Church Women. The Huebner Funeral Home in Westside was in charge of arrangements.