Mary Jean Stocker

Mary Jean Stocker, age 92, of Albia, IA, passed away on Monday, October 21, 2024. Mary was born on April 12, 1932, in Leon, IA, to Eli Ray and Zeta (Buck) Wiley. She grew up attending school in Leon and graduated Salutatorian of her class in 1950. On September 4, 1955, she was united in marriage to Dr. Everett “Dean” Stocker at the Methodist Church in Leon, IA, and to this union, 6 children were born: Diane, Carol, David, Nancy, Dan, and Norman. Mary and Dean were blessed with 61 years of marriage prior to Dean’s passing on August 10, 2017. Mary worked as a medical secretary for the Department of Health and later for Vocational-Rehab. Upon moving to Albia, Mary was an office manager for Benton Place Apartments. Her most loved job was being a devoted and supportive mother to her children. She became involved in Girl Scouts, 4-H, Tap Dance & Ballet lessons, Band Parents, PTA, and Drama, to name a few. Mary was a woman of strong faith and has had life-long involvement with church activities. She was a past member of the Methodist Church in Leon. Mary was also a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Albia and current member of the First Christian Church in Albia. She was a past member of the United Methodist Women. Her love of music has been displayed in a variety of ways whether at the piano, the organ, or playing bells in the choir. Mary was very generous and compassionate with a huge heart. She was a supporter of Compassion International and sponsored two children each year through the program. She was very talented at knitting and crocheting and knitted hundreds of blankets and stocking caps to be donated to Mary Sauter’s Pay It Forward program. Mary enjoyed traveling and she and Dean wintered in Florida for 20 years. She enjoyed being outdoors and spent hours in her garden or greenhouse, as well as watching/feeding the squirrels and hummingbirds. Mary was a competitive sports fan who enjoyed watching Iowa State, Brock Purdy play for the 49ers, Caitlin Clark play for the Iowa Hawkeye Women and enjoyed watching the Olympics. Above all else, Mary’s family was everything to her and she cherished all the time she spent with them. Mary is survived by five children, Diane (Jerry) Meyer; Carol Stocker, Nancy (Mike) Langstraat; Dan (Julie) Stocker and Norman (Shantel) Stocker; eight grandchildren, Matthew Meyer, Nathan (Sarah) Meyer, Kyle Langstraat, Kayla (Chase) Higginbotham, Cameron Stocker, Carson Stocker, Michael Stocker, and Mitchell Stocker; and a great grandson, Brooks Higginbotham. Mary is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends. Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Dean; a son in infancy, David; her parents, Eli and Zeta Wiley; and a brother, John Wiley. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 25, 2024, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Mary’s family present from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. to greet family and friends. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the First Christian Church in Albia, with Pastor John Sowers officiating. Inurnment will be at Oak View Cemetery in Albia. A memorial has been established to Mary Sauter’s Pay It Forward Program or to Compassion International.

Mary Jean Stocker

April 12, 1932 - October 21, 2024