February 9, 1934 – July 22, 2025
Le Grand- Mary R. Woerner 91, formerly of Clear Lake, passed away on Tuesday July 22, 2025, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo.
A visitation will be held Friday August 1st, 2025, from 5:00 p.m.-7:00p.m. at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Ave North Clear Lake, Iowa 50428.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday August 2, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church, 100 South Pierce Ave, Mason City, with Reverend Kenneth “Kip” Murphy officiating. Burial will take place at Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake, Iowa.
Memorials contributions may be directed in Mary’s memory to First Presbyterian Church, Mason City, IA, Cedar Valley Hospice Home, Waterloo, IA, North Iowa Central Gardens, Clear Lake or Habitat for Humanity, Mason City, IA.
Mary was born on February 9, 1934, on the family farm in rural Clear Lake, Iowa, the daughter of Robert and Maude (Harris) Furleigh. She graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1952 and continued her education at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, where she earned a double major in Spanish and English. Afterward, Mary spent four years teaching English in Cuba. Her teaching career also took her to San Diego, California, and Nevada, Iowa.
Mary later pursued a nursing career, which brought her to New York, where she worked as a public health nurse. It was there, at a church gathering, that she met her future husband, Warren Howard Woerner. The two were married on July 24, 1971, at the First Presbyterian Church in Mason City, Iowa, and began their life together on the family farm in Clear Lake.
Mary taught as a nursing instructor at NIACC for 25 years. She and Warren were both active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Mason City. A devoted servant of God, Mary was deeply committed to making a difference in her community. She was actively involved in a variety of organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Central Gardens, the community kitchen, Meals on Wheels, the Salvation Army, and numerous mission trips, all of which she supported with passion and dedication.
During the 1970s and early ’80s, Mary and Warren fostered several children before adopting Mary Frances and Charles. Mary received her doctorate in Education from Iowa State University.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Mary Frances “Francie” Woerner (Mark Berendsen) of Le Grand, IA; son Charles “Charlie” Woerner (Stephanie Helland) of Mason City, IA; grandchildren Carlos, Ryan, Andrew, Jacob, Zachary, and Everleigh; great-grandson Theo; nephews Ben and Dwight Furleigh; and great-nephews and niece Erik, Alex, and Katy Furleigh.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Barbara, her husband Warren Woerner, her brother Robert Furleigh and sister-in-law Donna Furleigh.
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