BOONE, Iowa—Funeral arrangements are set for 74 year old Mary Rachel Diersen, 74, of Boone, Iowa She passed away at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa on Monday, June 22, 2020.
Mary was born on August 1, 1945, in Boone, Iowa the daughter of Oscar M. Keeney and Mary Ellen (Redmon) Keeney. On August 21, 1966, she married Lowell D. Diersen at Augustana Lutheran Church in Boone, Iowa.
Mary attended Boone Schools through eleventh grade and then graduated from State College High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa in 1963 while her mother was obtaining her teaching degree from the Iowa Teachers College after her father’s death. After graduation, Mary completed a 2-year course at Boone Junior College before attending Iowa State University. Mary worked part-time at the Boone Country Club and later in life was the gift shop manager at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad.
Mary was a member of the Primitive Methodist Church in Boone before transferring to Augustana Lutheran Church in 1966. Mary was one of the original volunteers at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad and served a three-year term on their Board of Directors. She was active at Augustana Lutheran Church, helping with the Thursday Fellowship Dinners, sewing groups, and various calling committees. Mary was also a member of the ELCA Women’s group and a member of the church Esther Circle. She was an avid stamp and can collector and also enjoyed family genealogy, spending many, many hours completing her family tree. She also enjoyed taking summer vacation trips with many of her nieces and nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents Oscar and Mary Keeney; sister Elsie Claring; brother Daniel Keeney, and several nieces and nephews.
Mary is survived by her husband of over 50 years, Lowell Diersen, 20 nephews and nieces, 26 great-grand nephews and nieces, and a great-great-grand nephew and niece.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mary’s name may be directed to Augustana Lutheran Church in Boone or the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday, June 25, 2020, at Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, Iowa. Those who attend are asked to wear a face mask and practice social distancing.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am Friday, June 26, 2020, at Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone, Iowa with Pastor Dan Solomon of Augustana Lutheran Church officiating.
Online condolences may be left at www.schroederfuneral.com
The Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street in Boone is assisting the family with these arrangements.
Mary Diersen, 74, Boone, Iowa
