Mary Ann Truog passed away on September 29, 2024, with her family by her side at the Spanish Cove Long Term Care Facility in Yukon, OK. Mary Ann struggled with a lung disease in her last couple years but always kept a positive and happy attitude with a bright smile.
Mary Ann was born on September 2, 1929, at the family farm near Pocahontas, Iowa. She was the last of five children born to Fred and Anna (Grimm Flaherty) Halder. She attended country school and graduated from Ruthven High School in 1947.
In June of 1947, Mary Ann married Raymond DePue. Mary Ann and Raymond had one daughter, Veronica, who was greatly loved. Mary Ann helped farm and operate their trucking business near Cylinder, Iowa. She also operated the Cylinder Café and worked for Berkley’s before returning to school at Iowa Lakes Community College.
In October of 1972, she married Ulrich (Ole) Truog. Mary Ann and Ole loved to entertain in their home with card parties and by attending local events. They enjoyed traveling to Arizona for a couple months each winter when they were healthy. They rode charter buses to the east, west, north, and south, wanting to see all the USA; attended elder hostels; and traveled on cruise ships to see the Alaska coast and the Panama Canal. Most of all, Mary Ann enjoyed trips to see their families. She continued to make those trips to Oklahoma even after Ole’s passing.
Anyone that knew Mary Ann was aware of her “love” to talk on the telephone. And she kept her hands busy with handwork. She created amazing items; teddy bears, pillowcase dolls, embroidery, crochet edging, and crewel to name a few. Although her production slowed, she still enjoyed dishtowel embroidery until her final days, which recipients cherished when gifted.
Mary Ann lived in the Emmetsburg area until after her 91st birthday when she moved to Oklahoma to be closer to her family. She lived at Southern Plaza Retirement Center in Bethany, Oklahoma. Mary Ann made friends there, played bingo, enjoyed a few crafts and could see Christmas lights at the City Library from her window. She celebrated her 95th birthday with the whole family in her apartment just prior to moving to Yukon. She was mobile and so delighted in participating in family events.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents Fred and Anna (Grimm Flaherty) Halder; brothers, Jerome, Fabian, Clair, and infant sister. Her husband Ulrich (Ole) Truog; and stepson, Gregg Truog.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Veronica (DePue) and John Lufkin of Mustang, OK; two granddaughters, Michelle Lufkin of Plano, TX, and Barbara (Lufkin) & Robert Gomez of Oklahoma City; great grandchildren Ashley (Gomez) and Zach Hankins of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Brandon Gomez of Oklahoma City, and Cassidy Gomez of Oklahoma City; and step daughter-in-law Laurie Harvey Truog of Golden, Colorado.
A memorial service is being held on Monday, October 7th, at 10am, at McNeil’s Funeral Service.
A memorial service in Iowa will be held at a later date.
