Lillian 'Granny' Mae Mahrt

Lillian “Granny” Mae Mahrt, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Harmachek) Chocholousek, was born November 15, 1923, at her parents’ home near Dixon, South Dakota and died December 14, 2012, at the Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 89 years and 29 days. Lillian was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church in Dixon, South Dakota. She attended rural school near Dixon then graduated from the Gregory High School in Gregory, South Dakota with the High School Class of 1941 she then helped at home. On December 5, 1944, she was united in marriage to Merle John Mahrt in Winner, South Dakota. Two children Gary and Sherry were born to this union. They operated a farm 5 miles north of Burke, South Dakota where they raised cattle and sheep, milked cows, and grew row crops for many years. Merle had a stroke in 1998. Lillian and Merle moved to Guthrie Center, Iowa where they lived with their daughter Sherry. Merle died May 7, 2007. Lillian was a member of the Burke American Legion Auxiliary in Burke, South Dakota and a member of the Exira American Legion Auxiliary in Exira, Iowa. She was a member of the Women Fraternal Life Association, enjoyed playing cards, going fishing, and was an avid reader. Lillian loved to crochet, cook and bake especially hoska and kolcaches, but always made sure the dishes were promptly washed. She enjoyed gardening and always had not only a large vegetable garden but also a large flower garden. But most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Preceding her in death was her husband Merle John Mahrt; her son Gary Mahrt; her parents; her son-in-law Glenn “Butch” Fiebelkorn; her brother Ed and wife Blanche Chocholousek; her sister Mildred and husband Frank Matucha; her sister-in-law Pauline and husband Howard Gordon. Survivors include her daughter Sherry Fiebelkorn of Guthrie Center, Iowa; her grandchildren: Terri Thompson of Exira, Iowa; Larry and wife Karen Fiebelkorn of Des Moines, Iowa; Michelle Mahrt of North Carolina; Amy Mahrt of Gregory, South Dakota; her great grandchildren: Jessica and husband Patrick Malloy; Katelyn Thompson; Stephanie Thompson all of Exira; Karianna Fiebelkorn of Des Moines, Iowa; her great grandchildren: Jaylen Malloy and Olivia Malloy both of Exira; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
The interment will be in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, South Dakota.

Visitation:
The family will meet friends Sunday evening at 5:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. with a family visitation at 1:00 P.M. until time of the service at the Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, South Dakota.