Mary L. McBride (1944-2022)

MCBRIDE, KUNTZ, KAPPAROS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/13/2022 at 19:21:42

Obituary

Mary L. McBride, 77, of Oelwein, IA died on Sunday, May 8, 2022, at the MercyOne Care Center in Oelwein, IA.

Mary was born on August 30, 1944, in Dubuque, IA the daughter of Mike M. and Ida M. (Kuntz) Kapparos. She attended the Dubuque Community Schools and left home at seventeen to join a circus in Florida. For a year she worked as a performer and then went on to work as a waitress throughout the east coast for two years before returning to Iowa. She went back to school and in 1964 Graduated from Dubuque Senior High School.

On September 5, 1970, she married Robert Paul McBride at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubuque, IA. They made their home in Cascade, IA for several years where Robert worked as a cook and Mary waitressed. In 1982 they moved to Monticello, IA, and operated the Heights Supper Club for three years. Mary went on to work at the Kum and Go in Monticello for many years, before taking a job as a social worker at Foundation 2 in Cedar Rapids, IA, in 1994.

In 1997, Mary had an accident that left her disabled. She moved to Oelwein, IA in 1999 to live with her close friend Susan Kauten. Together they enjoyed collecting and traveled throughout Iowa for many years going to garage sales, including traveling down the Mississippi River during the 100 Mile Garage Sale.

She is survived by her children; Robert (Laurie) McBride, Marion, IA, and Michele (Ben) Reed, Pleasant Hill, IA, two grandchildren, Jakob and Adrianna Reed, two brothers George and Jim Kapparos, her soul sister, Susan Kauten, Oelwein, IA, her adopted family, Mikki (Scott Dutton) Kauten, Sam and Logan Dutton, Joy (Chris) Pint, Jeremy, Jeanelle, Brice, Brent, and Kathryn Pint, and many nieces and nephews.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband Robert, parents Mike and Ida Kapparos, a brother John Kapparos, and three sisters-in-law, Sharry, Violet, and Sandy Kapparos.

A Graveside Service will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Fontana Cemetery in Hazelton, IA, with Rev. John Sheda presiding. A Celebration of Mary’s life will be held in Fontana Park following the service.