Mary Jean Morgan, 86, of Quimby, Iowa, passed away Wednesday evening, July 29, 2015 at the Cherokee Villa.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 4th, at 10:30 a.m. at the Quimby United Methodist Church with Rev. Barb Dinelli officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Cherokee, Iowa. Visitation will be Monday from 2-8 p.m. at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee with the family present from 6-8 p.m. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com

Mary was born on August 25, 1928 in Colo, Iowa, the daughter of Winslow Elias ("Jim") and Irene Margaret (Nehring) Becvar. She graduated from Colo High School in 1946, Salutatorian of her class. On November 5, 1946 she married James Martin Morgan in Kansas City, Kansas. After their marriage they resided in the Marshalltown, State Center, and Colo areas before moving to a farm south of Marcus, IA in 1954. When Jim began working for Simonsen Manufacturing in 1957 they purchased their first home and moved to Quimby. From 1963-1976 Mary worked as a bookkeeper and school secretary for the Willow Community school district. She enjoyed her involvement with the staff and administration, but what she enjoyed most was the lifelong relationships she formed with many of the students. After her retirement she enjoyed being able to travel with Jim and spend time with her children and grandchildren.

Mary was a member of the Quimby Federated Woman's Club, Entre Nous, Tree Stumpers genealogy group, and served on the genealogy committee at the Cherokee County Fair.

As an active member of Quimby United Methodist Church she served for several years as secretary on the Administrative Board, taught Sunday School, helped collect and preserve church history, and at 80 she and Jim still assisted with Vacation Bible School.
She enjoyed reading, quilting, genealogy, gardening, 500 card club, bible study, and attending her grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's sporting and school events.

Mary and Jim started as two and currently have a loving family of 49! Over the years the home they built in 1965 has been the hub of many family activities.

Mary is survived by her husband, Jim and three daughters: Kathy (Mark) Simonsen, Cherokee, IA; Sally (Chuck) Knoben, Cherokee, IA; and Connie (Dave) Carstens, Cushing, IA; ten grandchildren: Kelly Kaufman, Cedar Rapids, IA; Kerry (Glenn) Selby, Gretna, NE; Kim (Tim) Wych, Cherokee, IA; Matt (Kristin) Simonsen, Eden Prairie, MN; Brian (Tonya) Carstens, Cushing, IA; Korrie Waldner, Cherokee, IA; Ben (Kellie) Carstens, Adel, IA; Jim (Christi) Carstens, Cushing, IA; Kent Simonsen, Cushing, IA; Kristi (Kelly) Kannegieter, Cherokee, IA; 24 great- grandchildren: Katie Kaufman; Marilyn, Frank, Andy, Carl Simonsen and Julia Constantineau; Kayla Selby; Karissa, Charlie, Kammy, Gavin, and Parker Wych; Kayden, Jack, and Kyle Waldner; Brock and Brittany Kannegieter; Morgan, Megan, Colin, and Justin Carstens; Frankie Allender, Bailey and Drake Carstens; her sister and brother-law, Fern and Ken Harrison, Las Cruces, NM; several nieces and nephews; and many beloved cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Vernon and Donald Becvar.