January 6, 2021

MARY'S OBITUARY

Mary Clarissa (Johnson) Amborn, 79, of Bladensburg, IA, passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center in West Des Moines, IA

Public Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm on Monday, January 11, 2021, at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola, IA.  Private Family Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, with Carole Wilkinson, Mary’s sister, officiating the service.  Friends may join through Livestream beginning at 10:30 a.m. on her obituary page on Overton Funeral Home’s website www.overtonfunerals.com.  Memorials may be left to Heartland Humane Society in Ottumwa, IA

Mary was a loving dedicated mother who is survived by her sons, Randy Howard of Iowa City, IA, Robert (Salvie) Howard of Port Orchard, WA, Ronald (Susan) Howard of Ottumwa, IA, John Howard of Ottumwa, IA, Colt (Erko Ike) Amborn of Hayama, Japan; daughters Kimberly (Craig) Riebkes of Huntsville, TX, and Angela (Scott Peterson) Spoerl of Des Moines, IA; 16 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren; sisters Carole Wilkinson, Margaret Rutledge, and Sally Fisher; brother Walt (Marie) Johnson, and many other relatives.  She was preceded in death by her father Charles V. Johnson, mother Merrie (Cox) Egness, brothers Russell “Rusty” Johnson, Charles “Chuckie” E. Johnson, and David Johnson. 

She was born on August 5, 1941 in Ottumwa, IA.  Her father owned and ran the Ottumwa Boiler Works where she learned the family trade.  She graduated from Ottumwa High School and was active in Art & Drama Clubs.   Mary was a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist.  On July 18, 1959, she was united in marriage to Donald Howard and was married for 18 years.  She raised 7 children and was a displaced homemaker that decided to attend Indian Hills Community College to get job training.  This helped her to become a skilled laborer at John Deere in Ottumwa for 20 years where she retired.  Later she cared for David Heisdorffer for many years.  Her hobbies and interests include dancing, playing shuffleboard, being a Boy Scout Leader, Agency Girls Softball coach, member of the Ottumwa Saddle Club, UAW Local 74, and activist for the Wapello County Democrats.  She always enjoyed bringing people together through organizing Single’s groups in Ottumwa.   Her passions were campaigning for the Democratic party, preserving the environment, driving her tractor, and creating art projects.  She was happiest being at her home where she lived for the past 45 years in the country with her Mammoth donkey, horses, dogs, cats and spending time with her family especially her children and grandchildren.