Mary Alice (Armstrong) Kerch

Mary (Armstrong) Kerch, 83, of Clarion, formerly of Crystal Lake, joined her heavenly family on Saturday, October 4, 2014. She passed away at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond, where she had been living for several months following a fractured hip.

Memorial services for Mary Kerch will be held at 11:00 AM on  Saturday, November 1, 2014, at the United Church of Christ Congregational, 115 3rd Avenue North West in Clarion with Pastor Bill Kem officiating. Interment will take place following the services at 2:00 PM at Crystal Lake Township Cemetery.

The family will greet friends thirty minutes prior to services at the church.

Mary Alice was born on July 2, 1931, to Luke and Lucy Armstrong in Clarion. During her life she held many offices in Crystal Lake at Calvary Lutheran Church and was an activity director for the Westview Care Center in Britt. After moving to Clarion, she cared for many elderly people and did some light housekeeping for others. She was also employed at Urness Hardware and Clarion Clothing. Mary suffered a stroke in 2009, and had been semi-homebound ever since.

Mary is survived by her sons, James (Linda) Kerch of Bettendorf and Michael Kerch (Patty Nierenhausen) of Minneapolis. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Kerch; son, Roger Kerch; sisters, Ilene Armstrong and Marjorie Mennig; brothers, infant Charles, Chester, Robert , Leon and Ralph.

The family wishes to acknowledge the employees of the Rehabilitation Center for their loving care during her stay.