Mary Ann Vanderloop

Surrounded by her family, Mary Ann Vanderloop went home to the Lord on February 4, 2017 at Brookestone Acres in Columbus. Mary Ann was a loving, caring, hardworking and faithful mother, wife and grandmother. Mary Ann was born December 8, 1927 in Spalding, Nebraska to Joseph and Sophia (Rasschaert) Haun. She grew up in Spalding on a rural farm where she attended District #39 for grade school and Spalding Academy for high school. She took the teaching exam to get her teaching certificate at the age of 18. Mary Ann taught country school in schools near Primrose, Spalding and Greeley, Nebraska from 1945-1949.

Mary Ann met the love of her life when she attended a dance in Spalding. Jim had just returned from WWII and he caught her eye with his uniform and charm. Mary Ann married her charming love on June 6, 1949 at Sacred Heart Church in Spalding after several months of courting. After their marriage, they set up residence in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. While raising the family, she helped her husband with his radio/TV repair service and farming/cattle operations. She instilled in her children to work together in the farming and house hold chores. Mary Ann then started to work as a part time clerk in the Post Office during Christmas season. Eventually, she transitioned to full time in Columbus where she worked until retiring in 1982.

Mary Ann raised 6 children in Cedar Rapids and Columbus. She enjoyed having large gardens which the family helped to tend, pick and can for future use. She had an amazing green thumb and could grow anything to beauty. Her colorful and luscious flower gardens were admired by many neighbors and passerby. She won Garden Of The Month with her irises, roses and beautiful variety of flowers. Mary Ann shared her love of nature and green thumb with her children. She had a hard working ethic which she showed by example. She instilled in her children her religious belief, caring spirit, and independent hard working nature, which were her foundations of a good life.

Mary Ann had a caring, compassionate spirit and a listening ear. She loved visits from grandchildren, going to breakfasts with her church friends and phone calls from friends and family. She was very dedicated to her family and friends.

Mary Ann is survived by her children; Jim Jr. (Diane) Vanderloop, Mary T. (Steve) Skillman, Gerard (Robin) Vanderloop, Elizabeth (Jim) French, Geri Ann (Randy) Jasper, and her sister, Katherine Haun. She has 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James Vanderloop, Sr. in 2003; parents, Joseph and Sophia Haun; infant daughter, Patricia; 5 brothers and 2 sisters.