Mary Yager

Mary Margaret (Jennison) Yager, age 87, of Riceville, IA took her final stroll to the great schoolhouse in the sky on May 3, 2018.

Funeral services for Mary Yager will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, May 7, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Riceville, IA. Visitation will be held Monday morning from 9:30-10:30 AM at the church prior to the service. Burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Riceville.

Mary was born May 1, 1931, the eldest daughter of Lloyd and Margaret (Benson) Jennison. Throughout her entire life, Mary was first and foremost a teacher. Helping to raise her siblings on the family farm north of Riceville, Mary taught her brothers and sisters the virtues of a happy, song filled life. Her greatest passion was in teaching, in particular, teaching the English language to those who struggled with reading and writing. Mary taught hundreds of children to read and write in both Riceville and Stacyville and tutored dozens of others, referring to many as “one of my third graders.” She was a pioneer in the use of Orton Gilliam phonics and transformed the lives of many who struggled with dyslexia. Mary loved to read and was adeptly skilled at the game of “UpWords.” Her kind words and thoughtful ways will be missed by her brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and countless others. We love you.  

Mary is survived by her son Tim (Jenny) Yager of Wabasha, MN, her daughter Susan (Patrick Fouts) Yager of Chippewa Falls, WI; two brothers Sam Jennison and Steve Jennison, her sister Jane Elliott, 7 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.  

Mary was preceded in death by her mother “Gie,” her father “Ginny,” an infant sister Anne, her brother Charlie, her sister Jean, and her beloved husband Keith.

Memorials may be made out to the Riceville Library or Riceville Community Schools.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.