Mary Schrandt, 71, of Charles City, Iowa, passed away January 23, 2026.
A memorial service for Mary Schrandt will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 27, 2026, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Charles City with Erik Hoefer officiating. Inurnment will be at Howard Cemetery in Elma, Iowa at a later date.
A gathering of family and friends will be from 9:00 a.m. until the start of the service at the church on Friday.
Mary Jean Schrandt was born on April 12, 1954, to Raymond and Cleo (Rieken) Gesell. She grew up on a farm outside of Alta Vista, Iowa with her two sisters, Judy, and Sandy.
Mary graduated from New Hampton High School in 1972. She attended Wartburg College in Waverly where she received her bachelor’s degree in political science in 1977. In that timeframe, she was able to go to Germany with her mother and sister Judy to visit family for three weeks. While there, she was able to experience New Years Eve festivities as well as partake in a Volks March, a popular German event connecting multiple villages and celebrations.
Mary met her husband Gene (Eugene) Schrandt in a rather unconventional way at the time; she placed an ad in a local newspaper hoping to find her soulmate. Out of the seven guys who responded, Gene met her first and the rest is history.
They were united in marriage on April 17, 1983, at St. Peters Church in Elma, Iowa.
They moved out to the farm Gene had purchased in 1980 and in 1985, they had their only child, William.
Mary became passionate about helping mothers and joined La Leche League International and in 1990, became a board-certified consultant. Over the years she was asked to speak at several conferences in the Midwest and even traveled abroad with her family to speak at a conference in Guam.
When not busy with La Leche League, she helped Gene on the farm raising cattle, pigs, chicken, and geese. She had a deep love for God’s creation, and it showed through her hobbies of bird watching and land conservation efforts. She also enjoyed reading, researching various topics, and baking.
Mary enjoyed and cared about her church family, Messiah Lutheran Church. She and Gene spent many years volunteering and helping whenever and wherever they could. She treasured the love and support she received there.
Those left to share her memory are her son, William (Sarah) Schrandt; Granddaughters: Ava Williams and Ivy Mae Callow; and her grandson on the way; Nieces: Julie (Todd) VanAken and Nancy Ruksznis; and several cousins.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Schrandt; Granddaughter, Karley Josephine Schrandt; parents, Raymond and Cleo Gesell; Sisters: Judy Ruksznis and Sandra Gesell; and Parents-in-Law, Denis and Ida Schrandt.
Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.
