Mary Deck

Our dear mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Mary McKenna Deck of Sioux City, passed away Sunday, December 21, 2014, at North Park, which had been her home for four years. She passed peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sioux City, Iowa. Mary's family will greet friends from 10:00 A.M. until service time at church. Mary was born July 27, 1920, in Sioux City, Iowa. She was the daughter of Charles and Geneva McKenna. She attended Sioux City Schools and graduated from Central High School in 1938. Her quote from her senior annual yearbook was, "vivacious people are always in demand." She then went onto the University of Nebraska. She was a member of Tri Delta Sorotity. Mary earned her degree in Elementary Education. While attending college she fell in love with Byron Deck. They were married October 6, 1942 in Sioux City. Byron and Mary had two children, Brad and Karen. Mary loved being a wife, mother, homemaker and community volunteer. She was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She was past President of Family Services, past President of Lincoln School PTA, a Boy and Girl Scout Leader and Sunday School teacher. She was a member of Chapter IL-PEO, American Girls Book Club, Jr. League of Sioux City, and the Sioux City Country Club. Mary enjoyed playing golf at the Club with her husband and dear friends. She loved walking, bowling and playing tennis. She loved entertaining her family and friends. Mary enjoyed Sunday dinners with her family and her sister's family. She loved her Potluck group and had such fun times. Mary was an excellent knitter and made afghans for her children and grandchildren. Mary and Byron loved to travel. They visited Alaska, several states in the U.S., England, France, Germany, Spain and China. Having visited all these places, her favorite place was their lake cabin on Woman Lake in Minnesota. She often said, "This is the closest to heaven I will ever get." The cabin was a summer gathering place for her children. The family loved fishing, skiing, golfing and wonderful meals. Mary was a very sweet person. She had a wonderful disposition. She was loving, warm, spiritual, genuine and social. Her spunk and easy laughter have been passed down to the next generation and her spirit will live on through her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was loved by all. Left to cherish her memory are her sister Shirley Heinke; daughter Karen Goodwin and her husband lee of Sioux City; her son Brad Deck and his wife Chris of Newport Beach, California; her grandchildren: Chris Goodwin and his wife Michelle of Rosemount, Minnesota; Jamie Andersen and her husband Dusty of Omaha, Nebraska; and Tyler Deck of NewPort Beach, California. She had five great-grandchildren: Kaden, Jayce, Ivy, Channing and Crew and numerous nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Byron and her parents. The family would like to extend their gratitude to North Park Senior Living, Synergy Home Health and Hospice of Siouxland.