Mary Strain

Mary Strain, 77, of Le Grand, Iowa, went to be with her Lord and Savior on the evening of September 3, 2021 in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family.

Services for Mary will be held on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Tama, Iowa. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home with a vigil service at 7:00 P.M. Memorials in Mary’s name may be directed to her family for a later designation. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Mary Beth Mikel was born April 4, 1944 to Howard and Beth (Doughty) Mikel in Webster City, Iowa. She grew up on the family farm in Woolstock, Iowa. She attended Country school through grade 6, then to Webster City, graduating from Webster City High School in 1962. She attended UNI where she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 1966.

On August 22, 1964, Mary was united in marriage to John Strain at St. Thomas Aquainus Catholic Church in Webster City. They lived in Tipton, Wellman, and Le Grand following John’s coaching/teaching career. They began a family of their own raising their four daughters Kris, Michelle, Pauly, and Angela. John and Mary called Le Grand, Iowa their forever home in 1978.Throughout the years, Mary worked full time in the business field. The Strain home was always busy with family and friends. Mary and John celebrated 47 years of marriage together until the time of his passing in 2011.

Throughout her life, Mary was very involved in her faith life from a young age from attending Asbury United Methodist Church to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Tama. She was a member of the Sunrise Coffee Group, Dillon Card Club, an avid election official, involved in Le Grand City Council, and active in the East Marshall Scholarship and Booster Club Boards.

In her free time, Mary was an avid reader, enjoyed working on sewing and needlework projects, playing piano, watching her husband coach high school sports, following her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s sporting activities, making her own cookbook, and being a devoted mom, grandma, and wife.

Those left to remember and cherish her memory are her children Kris (Jim) Collins, Michelle (Dan) Stubbs, Pauly (Darrell) Wood and Angela Strain; her 11 grandchildren, Kristina (Larry) Stubbs, Danielle Stubbs, Nathan Collins, Sarah (Jeremy) Weiermann, Natasha (Fidencio) Balderas, Noel (Quinton) Gray, Catie (David) Collins, Lauren Wood, Jonathon Wood, Bailey Grant and Kinlee Bailey; her seven great-grandchildren; her sister, Sue Mishler; and numerous extended family members.

In eternal life, she rejoins her husband John; her parents Howard and Beth Mikel; and her brother-in-law Dave Misher.