Mary R. Woerner 91, formerly of Clear Lake

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 1 st , 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.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 1 st Ave N., Clear Lake, IA 50428 (641)357-2193
ColonialChapels.com