Mary F. Wiegert

Mary Fredericka Rickert Wiegert Mary Fredericka Rickert Wiegert was born June 27, 1911; died Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at her home. She was Gods gift born to Henry and Margaret (Tebben) Rickert at the family farm located south of Bellevue. Mary attended the rural school for 8 years and Bellevue High School for 4 where she graduated in 1931 where she obtained her Normal Teachers training. Mary also has credits from the University of Dubuque, Cedar Falls and Iowa City in teaching. Visitation for Mary will be held from 9am to 11 am, Monday, October 10 at Saint John Lutheran Church in Bellevue, Iowa with a service of Christian burial following. Marys teaching career started in the rural school system and spanned 44 years. After almost 20 years of rural teaching in LaMotte, Mary accepted the position of kindergarten teacher in the Bellevue Elementary School system. She then was assigned to the 1st grade and there she stayed until her retirement in 1977. Mary and Frederick Wiegert were married on August 12, 1962 at Saint Johns Lutheran Church in Bellevue. She and Fred lived on the Wiegert family farm until 1994 when they build a retirement home in Bellevue next door to Marys sister, Isabelle. Fred and Mary were never blessed with children of their own but were loved by many nieces and nephews and past students. Her legacy will live on in her love for her students, her family, her church and her God. Mary was baptized, confirmed and married at Saint Johns Lutheran in Bellevue, and upon moving to LaMotte, became a member of Saint Pauls Lutheran Church in LaMotte where she and Fred faithfully attended. Mary returned to her church roots when she and Fred moved to Bellevue and they became members at Saint Johns. Mary was the middle child of 3 children. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother (Harvey Simon Rickert), her sister (Isabelle Laura Rose Rickert), and her beloved husband, Frederick. The Rickert family has left a rich legacy to the people of Bellevue. Their family farm south of Bellevue was given to Saint John Lutheran Church to help preserve the tradition of youth fellowship, land stewardship and love of God which the Rickert family embodied. All of her family, friends and former students will miss her gentle presence. Her God was the most important part of her life, and she devoted part of each day to prayer and reading the scriptures. She was part of the Prayer Chain at Saint Johns. Mary also gave generously over the years to the Humane Society, World Hunger, Bremwood Home in Waverly and her church and its missions. She enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels from her chair in later life and adopted all the across the street neighbors. Mary loved her cat, Angel. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Jackson County. Their loving care and concern helped Mary to stay in her home until the end. A special thank you to Mary's Angels, Peg, Kathy, Joan, Jean Ellen, Linda, Jace, Paul and Verna for being there for Mary. She so appreiciated your thoughtfullness. A thank you also to Mary's Hospice Angels, Lisa, Rose, Ruth, Patti, Vicki, Jo Ellen, Karen, Alliza, Janis and Joyce.