Mary Joan Trease, 87, of Grinnell, IA passed away on June 21, 2024 at Mill Pond senior living community in Ankeny, IA.

Born on June 2, 1937 in Johnson County, Iowa, she was the daughter of Asa and Isla (Anderson) Talbott. She grew up in Grinnell and graduated with the class of 1955. In October of 1955 in Newton, IA, Mary was united in marriage to her one true love, Elmer Dean Trease. To this union the couple had two daughters, Deborah and Angela. They built a house in Grinnell where Mary lived for more than 50 years until moving to Ankeny in 2018 to be closer to family.

Family was very important to Mary. She enjoyed hosting many dinners where she spent countless hours rolling out homemade noodles and buttermilk cookies and will always be remembered as a wonderful cook. You never went hungry at her house. She enjoyed making quilts and embroidering. Over the years she made enough quilts to gift to each of her grandchildren. Mary loved watching sports on TV and was an animal lover, especially of dogs. She loved flowers and birds and often found joy walking around the pond at her apartment.

Mary leaves behind a legacy of love. She is survived by her daughters, Deborah (Mike) Spooner of Polk City, IA, Angela (Kent) Van Ersvelde of Grinnell, IA, her grandchildren, Morgan (Ben) Schuh, Jordan (Chris) LaCoste, Heather (Dave) Freese, and Hayley (Jeff) Mathews, Kelsey Van Ersvelde, and her cherished 9 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother James Talbott, her sister Modesta Beason, and her granddaughter Meredith Spooner.

A private family burial will be held at Hazelwood cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Poweshiek Animal League Shelter (PALS), an organization whose cause was very dear to Mary. Contributions can be mailed in c/o Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Mary will be remembered as a fiercely loving mother and grandmother, kind and generous, incredibly strong and one who served as the hub of her family for decades. She will be deeply missed.