Mary Ellen Eiben

Mary Ellen Eiben, daughter of Lynn and Wilma (Seastrom) Olson, was born on August 14, 1940, in Audubon, Iowa, and passed away peacefully at her home in Herndon, Virginia, on July 13, 2025, at the age of 84.

Mary was baptized and confirmed at the First Methodist Church in Audubon. She attended the Viola School until it closed in 1957 and graduated from Audubon High School with the Class of 1958.

On April 21, 1958, she married the love of her life, Norman George Eiben, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa—a man she had known since she was six years old. Together, they were blessed with five children: Kevon, Kenneth, Karla, Kurtis, and Kristopher.

Following Norman’s enlistment in the Navy, the family moved often, living in Memphis, Tennessee; Norfolk, Virginia; Bermuda; Patuxent Maryland; Lemoore, California; Omaha, Nebraska; Key West, Florida; Alameda, California; Pensacola, Florida; Northern Virginia; Atsugi, Japan; and eventually back to Northern Virginia, where they purchased their forever home in 1989.

Mary had a deep love for square dancing with Norman, sewing clothing and stuffed animals, and crocheting blankets as heartfelt gifts. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and teaching cake decorating. Many weekends and summers were filled with boating, water skiing, and fishing with her family. Annual trips to Iowa for family reunions were a cherished tradition. She enjoyed watching sports, but above all, Mary’s greatest joy was her family — cheering on, supporting, and caring for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband Norman Eiben; son, Kenneth Eiben; Brothers, Willis Olson and Ricky Olson; Sisters, Nadine Olson Christensen, Rebecca Olson Naberhaus, Catharine Olson Hobbs; Brother in law and Sister in law, Dwain and wife Penny Eiben; Sister in law and Brother in law, Alberta and husband Willard Lyons; Sister in law and Brother in law, Thelma and husband Bob Anderson; Sister in law and Brother in law, Jeanette and husband Bill Haskins; Brother in law and Sister in law, Shirley and husband Darrell Johnson; Brother in law and Sister in law Ardel and wife Janice Eiben; Brother in law, Lyle Eiben

Survivors include her children: Kevon and wife Vanessa Eiben of Reston, Virginia; Karla and husband Barry Crocker of Patuxent, Maryland; Kurtis and wife Megan Eiben of Boca Raton, Florida; and Kristopher of Aylett, Virginia; her 10 grandchildren: Phillip Eiben, Kaley Eiben, Brent Eiben, Krystal Capets, Kristene Skalicky, Brittany Taylor, Tiffany Matthews, Jackson Eiben, Oliver Eiben, and Nicholas Eiben; her 12 great-grandchildren: Kalyn Eiben, Evan Capets, Rachael Noel Capets, Leah Eiben, Kaleb Eiben, Drew Skalicky, Piper Skalicky, Easton Taylor, Ryker Taylor, Kaci Taylor, Kyson Matthews, Carter Matthews; her brothers and sisters: Margie Deist, Lynette and husband Gary Nichols, Joyce and husband John Jenkins, Rita and husband Robert Mowen, Robbyn and wife Diane Olson, Ronald Olson, Sharlette Weighton, Ruth Eiben; Sister in law, Darline Eiben, Sister in law, Brother in law and sister in law, Jerry and wife Linda Eiben, Brother in law, Neil Naberhaus, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Visitation with the family will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., with a funeral at 11, on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon.

Burial will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery following the service on Tuesday.

A reception will be held following the committal at the Old Park Hotel in Audubon.

Services are handled by the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon, IA.