Mary M. Ascher

Mary Martha Ascher, 82, of rural Grundy Center, Iowa, died Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at Creekside Living in Grundy Center, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023 at the Wellsburg Reformed Church. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the Wellsburg Reformed Church with burial to follow at the church cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family to create a memorial in her memory. Abels Funeral and Cremation Service, Doyen Chapel, is caring for the family.

Mary was born May 7, 1941, in Austinville, Iowa, the daughter of Lula and John Rops. She was raised in Austinville with her six brothers and sisters and attended grade school there before attending and graduating from high school in Aplington. After high school, Mary attended Ellsworth Junior College and began teaching at Wellsburg Community School after graduating.

On August 14, 1963, Mary was united in marriage to August “Junior” Ascher at the Christian Reformed Church in Austinville, Iowa. They moved to their farm in rural Grundy County in 1966 where she lived until her passing.

Mary taught at Wellsburg Community School for over 32 years and enjoyed hearing from former students and teachers. She was also an active lifelong member of Wellsburg Reformed Church.  Mary enjoyed spending time with her family. Her granddog, Sam, was a comforting companion to her, as well. Mary was a wonderful wife, mom, mother-in-law, and grandma.

Mary is survived by her daughter Pamela (Mike) Masiello of Ankeny, and son Brent (Mary) Ascher of rural Grundy Center; grandsons Jonathan and Mark Masiello and Jake and Nick Ascher; sisters JoAnn Beving and Frances (Floyd) Hook; brother Dennis (Rhonda) Rops; sisters-in-law Jeanette Rops, Thelma Ringena, Annabelle (Lloyd) Schriever, and Diane Ascher; brothers-in-law Don Harken and Ed (Beth) Ascher; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, August “Junior” Ascher; her parents John and Lula Rops; sister and brother-in-law Valda and Arlo Dougan; brother and sister-in-law Marvin and Verla Rops; sister Betty Harken; infant brother Leonard Rops; brothers-in-law Gene Beving, John Ringena, and Jim Ascher; sister-in-law LaDonna Rops; one niece Tresa Rops; and one nephew Allen Sword.