Mary Josephine Cunningham

Mary Josephine Ethell Cunningham was born on July 7, 1927 at her maternal grandparent's farm house west of Rippey, to parent's Robert and Leeta Johnson Ethell. Mary died on August 5, 2023 at the Dallas County Hospital at the age of 96. She grew up in Rippey with her parents. Her dad taught her how to play cribbage and her mother taught her how to cook, garden and can. They both taught her how to love, the importance of family and what it meant to work hard. She attended Rippey School, where she graduated in 1944. She enjoyed singing in glee club, acting in plays, and playing basketball throughout high school. Her nickname was "Punch," only she knows why now, unless someone else can tell us. After high school she moved to Boone to help care for her extended family. Mary enjoyed helping care for and spending time with her extended family, whom she adored all her life. In her later teens she worked at the ammunition plant in Ankeny in effort to support WWII with her cousin Lois. Because of her age she could only work in the cafeteria. She lost some loved ones in the war; she missed them always and forever spoke fondly of them. Mary was united in marriage to Kenneth Delbert Cunningham on November 29, 1947. She never doubted his love for her. To this union two children were born, Kenneth David Cunningham and Kathryn Ann Cunningham Brant. The family resided in Rippey until moving to their farm south of Rippey in 1960, where the family has continued to reside. Lots of memories have been made around the family pool, riding horses, celebrating holidays, playing in the timber, and working hard. Grandchildren arrived with the birth of Joell Herrick (Buddy) of Waukee, Jamie Brant (Cathy) of Rippey, Danny Cunningham (Gina) of Perry and Jennifer Eiteman-Haglan (Jann) of Perry and then the great grandchildren arrived with time. Mary loved and was so proud of all of her great-grandchildren; Cole Brant (Renee), Race Brant, Dylan Eiteman, Skylar Cunningham, Sydney Herrick, Delaney Eiteman, Halle Herrick, Eliza Cunningham and Korbyn Brant. In 2019 she was blessed with her first great-great grandchild, Sage Brant and in 2021, Ash Brant. Mary loved the time spent with her family. Family vacations throughout the years were taken and holiday celebrations were rarely missed. A birthday party celebration on July 7th or a day close was always important to her. There have been some awesome celebrations over the last 96 years, with the last being just a month ago. She was blessed to have a large 90th birthday celebration at the farm with so many family and friends visiting. Mary worked at many jobs, but mainly at the Perry Chief and later at the Greene County Hospital in Jefferson. She was the payroll clerk, wrote lots of checks and made many lifelong friends during her employment. She was a proud Democrat and served as the head of the Democratic Party for Greene County. She met a young Tom Harkin and Jimmy Carter and sat on Ronald Regan's lap when she was just a small child when he worked in radio. She always spoke her beliefs and could have one heck of a heated debate. She truly just wanted equality for all. Mary and Kenneth also delivered the Des Moines Register Sunday Paper for years in Greene County. She was also a member of the Rebecca's. After her retirement she enjoyed birdwatching, time with her family, playing cribbage, swimming in the pool, reading, and taking road trips with grandpa and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her homemade ice cream was always the best thing she ever made! Mary also enjoyed the animals on the farm. The family had many beloved horses, dogs, and kitties over the many years. Her final dog, Cha Cha was her constant companion, and she was heartbroken when she passed. She also loved the kitties, and in her final days, still called, "here, kitty, kitty." The family built their multigenerational home at the farm in the late 70's, where Mary and Kenneth shared the home with Kathy, Kirk, Jamie and Jennifer, with David, Joell and Danny there frequently, along with a host of other relatives and friends. Her own mother, Leeta also lived in the new home until her passing in August of 1984. Mary and Kenneth always welcomed everyone to their home and pool. After losing Kenneth in December 2007 and then Kathy in 2015, her son-in-law, Kirk became her primary caretaker. They had one special bond, which she always spoke fondly of. They had their moments, but both cared deeply for one another. Kirk has been a tremendous caretaker, making sure she always had her favorite snacks, got to her appointments, made sure she had all her medications, and spoiled her with lottery scratchers. Mary has missed Kenneth and Kathy tremendously over the years and it is with peace we know they are together again. In her later years, Mary enjoyed fun outings, phone calls, western TV and movies, and family gatherings. She enjoyed phone calls and visits with her close friends, Sharon and Jean and other extended family members. Mary was especially honored when asked to be the Queen of the Rippey Sesquicentennial Parade in 2020, which was finally held in July 2021. She was the oldest living female Rippey resident. She had the biggest smile all day long! She had the opportunity to throw candy in the parade and later spent the day riding around in the golf cart visiting with numerous people throughout the day. She said it was one of the best days of her life. She enjoyed dinners at David and Sandra's and loved their little dogs. Over the later years and as the grandkids grew, their spouses became a huge part of her life. She was blessed with special relationships with all her grandchildren and they in turn were blessed with so many years with her and the memories made. Her loving guidance will be missed by them all. Mary also spent time journaling her thoughts, experiences, family history, and her love for her family. She has left her family a treasure of memories. We shall miss her and cherish her memory for the rest of our lives. Our sweet precious, Queen Grandma Mary. Rest easy, old girl, our old biddy, you earned it. Mary is survived by her son, David Cunningham (Sandra); son-in-law, Kirk Brant; four grandchildren, Joell Herrick (Buddy), Jamie Brant (Cathy), Danny Cunningham (Gina), and Jennifer Eiteman-Haglan (Jann); great-grandchildren, Cole Brant (Renee), Race Brant, Dylan Eiteman, Skylar Cunningham, Sydney Herrick, Delaney Eiteman, Halle Herrick, Eliza Cunningham and Korbyn Brant; and great-great-grandchildren, Sage and Ash Brant. Mary is also survived by her nephew and niece Harry Trevarthen and Tanna Corrigan (Tom), amongst a host of other extended family and close family friends, she considered her family. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Leeta; husband, Kenneth; daughter, Kathryn; brother-in-law, Bill; sister-in-law, Bette and her great-grandson, Kenneth Declan. When sweet little Declan was born sleeping, her heart was shattered, but it also brings us peace to know she's reunited with him as well. ~ Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 with family greeting hours from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 9, 2023 also at the funeral home. The burial will take place in the Rippey Cemetery. Cemetery Details Rippey Cemetery, Rippey, IA Previous Events Visitation AUG 8. 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CT) Hastings Funeral Home - Perry 1417 Second Street Perry, IA 50220 (515) 465-4691 hastings@minburncomm.net Family hours 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. AUG 8 (CT) Hastings Funeral Home - Perry 1417 Second Street Perry, IA 50220 (515) 465-4691 hastings@minburncomm.net Funeral Service AUG 9. 10:00 AM (CT) Hastings Funeral Home - Perry 1417 Second Street Perry, IA 50220 (515) 465-4691 hastings@minburncomm.net