Mary Louise Day

Mary Louise Day, 94, longtime resident of Newton, Iowa, peacefully and confidently walked into Jesus’ arms on August 16, 2025, at The Bridges at Ankeny.

Mary was born on September 20, 1930, in Rockford, Illinois, to George Irving Lancaster and Julia Elizabeth (Walgren) Lancaster. She grew up in Tampico, graduating from Tampico High School in 1948. She married J. Douglas (Doug) Conrad in 1950, and to that marriage four children were born. Daniel passed in infancy, but soon Joel, then George, and finally Mara were welcomed into the family.

The family moved to Newton in 1959. Mary worked as a part-time clerk at the Corner Drugstore, then, after a divorce, she began working full-time as a hostess at the Terrace Inn. It was there she met Bob. On June 29, 1979, she was united in marriage to Robert (Bob) W. Day at Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton. She then worked part-time at People’s Drug and later at Morgan Jewelers. Bob and Mary shared nearly 13 wonderful years together before Bob’s passing in 1992. Her church family and her work family at Morgan’s helped carry her through that grief.

In 2011, Mary moved to Mason City to live near her daughter, Mara, and her family. In 2024, after breaking her ankle, she relocated to The Bridges at Ankeny, where she received the loving care she deserved and the watchful attention she required.

Mary loved baking birthday cakes and pies, crocheting, and sewing. She especially enjoyed making sock monkeys, fondly called Mary’s Monkey Business, and quilts. Many children, grandchildren, friends, and family members received a special “grandma monkey” or quilt stitched with love.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Joel (Nancy) Conrad of Des Moines, IA, George (Lisa) Conrad of Gloucester, VA, and Mara (Bruce) Ouverson of Mason City, IA; her stepchildren, Paul (Sue) Day, Sandra (Monty) Keller, and Kathy (Jeff) Patton; along with 17 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and many, many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bob; her infant son, Daniel; her first husband, Doug; and all her siblings, Richard Lancaster, LeRoy Lancaster, Belva Maxfield, Charlotte Lancaster, and Alene Chewning.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. The family will greet friends during a visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., prior to the service. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Mary’s generous spirit by supporting a friend or family member in need, just as she so often did throughout her life.