Mary E. Engling

Mary E. Engling, age 83, of Dubuque, IA, completed her earthly journey on June 28, 2024, at home, while surrounded by her loving family.  To honor Mary’s life, a Mass in Mary’s name will be held at a later date.  Burial will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque.  The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Mary’s family.

Mary was born on July 5, 1940, in Dubuque, IA, a daughter to Raymond and Lorraine (Cloos) Close.  She was blessed to spend the majority of her life right here in Dubuque surrounded by family and friends outside of the 6 years she ventured out to Las Vegas, NV.  Mary was united in marriage to her loving husband, Alfred Engling on February 2, 1957, at the Church of the Nativity in Dubuque.  In their early years, Mary and Alfred turned their favorite pastime into a business and owned and operated their own Ceramics Shop.  They truly enjoyed one another’s company, whether at work or home, and actively made it a priority to spend time together whether creating beautiful quilts, or even making a little sawdust while working on their crafts in the woodshop when time allowed.  Mary was a faithful member of the Church of the Resurrection and also a proud member of the Dubuque Bowling Association and the Eagle’s Club.  She was an avid and very talented bowler and was able to show off her skills in several bowling tournaments throughout the years.  Mary was also an enthusiastic volunteer and donated countless hours of her time and talents with Ecumenical Towers in Dubuque and the Valley Hospital in Las Vegas where they gratefully honored her as the “Volunteer of the Year”.  But at the end of the day, Mary’s family was her greatest joy in life.  She was intentionally and actively involved in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many beautiful memories remain to help heal the heavy hearts they carry with the physical absence of Mary in their daily lives.  Thank you, Mary, for leading a life full of love and may the legacy you leave behind live on vividly within the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved you.   

Those left behind to cherish the memory of Mary include,

her six children,

Shella (Steve) Czipar, Dubuque, IA,

Lisa (Joe) Simon, North, TX,

Kim Mangers, Dubuque, IA,

Laura O’Brien, Rockford, IL,

Malinda Ahmann, Dubuque, IA,

and Al (Kris) Engling, Jr, AR;

her eighteen grandchildren,

Kari (Adam) Zierdan, Tyler (Katelyn) Czipar, Jonathon (Shelly) Simon, Jessica (Tom) Walker, Steven (Sarah) Mangers, Michael (Ashley) Mangers, James Mangers, Stacey (Brock) Gittelson, Kelley (Keith) Schmidt, Austin Lynch, Patrick O’Brien, Todd O’Brien, Brett O’Brien, Emily (Brad) Puls, Alex (Tiffany) Ahmann, Karrie Engling, James (Shanna) Engling, and Holly (Neil) Brubeck;

her thirty-six great grandchildren;

her sister,

Rita (Wilbur) Masbruch, Platteville, WI;

her sisters-in-law,

Pat Close, Rosco, IL,

Connie Close, Dubuque, IA,

and Ann Close, Dubuque, IA;

her daughter-in-law,

Mary Martinez Engling, Las Vegas, NV;

along with numerous fantastic nieces and nephews, extended family, friends, and neighbors.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Alfred Engling; her son, Daniel Engling; and her siblings, Bill, Arnold, Clete, Richie, Ray, Donnie, Michael, Freda, Joseph, and David.

Mary’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Hospice of Dubuque, especially Chris “Superman” and Cassie “Wonder Woman”, for all of their professional, compassionate, and loving care of our precious Mom!

Online condolences may be shared with Mary’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com