Tindall, Mary A. 1933-2024

TINDALL, CLARK, BUTCHER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/4/2025 at 13:20:24

Mary A. Tindall, 91, of rural Akron, Iowa, passed away Tuesday evening, December 3, 2024, at UnityPoint Health – Trinity Bettendorf (Iowa).

Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, December 13, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars, Iowa. A prayer service will follow at 7:00 pm with Pastor Berth Lundula officiating. Another Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 14, with the funeral following at 11:00 AM, again at Rexwinkel Funeral Home (Le Mars). Burial will be at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, rural Merrill, Iowa. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Valley Cemetery or St. John’s United Methodist Church, 109 East 14th Street, Davenport, Iowa 52803.

Mary Alice Clark was born on the family farm in Honey Creek Township, Crawford County, Illinois, on July 23, 1933. She was the third of four daughters born to Leslie Lee “Ted” Clark and Flossie Edith (Butcher) Clark. Her faith, her family, and learning were always very important to Mary. As a child and youth, she attended the Pearl Chapel United Brethren Church, near the family home. She was baptized and joined the church of her own choice at the age of accountability in the United Brethren tradition.

Mary attended Hurricane Country School through the 8th grade and attended Robinson High School where she was not only an excellent student but was a favorite among her peers--being selected as Prom Queen during her senior year. She graduated in 1950 and went on to Indiana Central College (currently the University of Indianapolis), an Evangelical United Brethren affiliated university. 

It was there, in 1950, she met Rollin Jay Tindall of Akron, Iowa. They were married at Otterbein Evangelical United Brethren Church in Robinson, Illinois, on April 27, 1952. The couple moved to Cherry Point, North Carolina, and later to Washington DC, where Rollin was stationed with the United States Marine Corps.

Mary worked at the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) during their time in Washington DC.
 
In 1954, Rollin and Mary returned to Akron, Iowa, where they farmed and fed cattle for the next 52 years. Mary was a devoted wife, mother, and business partner. With Mary’s love for learning, she wanted to return to finish college. So, she enrolled at Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa, and in 1972, received a B.S. in Psychology and Elementary Education. She taught for 27 years, first at Westfield and then at Akron-Westfield after the two districts consolidated.

Mary was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church of LeMars, having joined that congregation with her husband, Rollin, in 1983, when it was known as Calvary United Methodist Church. 

She is survived by her children; Clark (Nancy) Tindall of LeMars, Jill Tindall  of Davenport, Iowa, and Craig (Beth) Tindall of San Ramon, California; her  grandchildren; Kate Tindall of St. Paul, Minnesota, Anika Tindall and Jason Tindall of San Ramon, California; and sister Lola Piersall of Robinson, Illinois and a sister-in-law Avis Fjestad of Grand Forks, ND.  

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Rollin, who passed away on their 54th wedding anniversary in 2006; two of her sisters and their husbands - Lela (John) Lofland and Hulah (Charles) O’dell and four of her brothers-in-law; Corbin Tindall, Doyt Musgrave, George Piersall and Leon Fjestad. 

Mary was a delightful and caring person to have as a family member and/or a friend. In the words of one of her next-door neighbors, she was a blessing to know— “always so full of joy and a shining light.” She will be deeply missed by her beloved family members and friends.