Mary R. (Rakey) McNeese

Mary R. McNeese, 88, of Britt, passed away Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at the Westview Care Center in Britt.

Funeral services for Mary McNeese will be held on Monday, August 9, 2010 at 10:30 AM at the Evangelical Free Church in Britt with Pastor Mark Aheron officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Britt.

Visitation for Mary McNeese will be held on Sunday, August 8, 2010 from 4:00 until 6:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West, in Britt and continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Mary R. (Rakey) McNeese, the daughter of August and Theresa (Hugenul) Rakey, was born August 27, 1921 in Rolla, Missouri. She attended country school in Van Buren County, Iowa and continued her education at Bonnet High School in Birmingham, Iowa. Mary later went to beauty school and became a licensed beautician.

Mary was united in marriage to Royal James McNeese on September 5, 1939 in Fairfield, Iowa. The couple farmed near Libertyville, Iowa before moving to Britt in 1946. She moved with her husband, two children and her mother and father-in-law. The family farmed Northwest of Britt until 1973, which is when they moved into town.

Mary received Jesus Christ as her Savior in the early 1950’s, and was baptized at the Clear Lake Baptist Camp. She was a member of the Britt Evangelical Free Church.

Mary loved her family very much, especially her grandchildren raising the two youngest. She enjoyed gardening, raising chickens on the farm, sewing and playing Bingo. Mary was a social butterfly who never met a stranger.

Mary is survived by her children: Gale (Beverly) McNeese of Britt, Shirley Mikkelson of Spout Spring, Virginia, Sharon (Richard) Clarke of Bolingbrook, Illinois, Sandy (Keith) Janes of Stuart, Florida, Gary (Theresa) McNeese of Britt, Nancy (Mark) Aheron of Burlington, North Carolina and Jim McNeese; 19 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Royal; a baby daughter; granddaughter Branda; and son-in-law Col. John Mikkelson.