Mary Elizabeth Pieper, 95, of Ottumwa passed away peacefully at 8:53 a.m. March 11, 2026 at home.
She was born February 14, 1931 in Nauvoo, IL to Albert and Veronica Wellner Weber. She grew up on the family farm in Sonora township near Nauvoo, IL and graduated in 1948 from St. Peter and Paul High School and in 1952 from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Burlington.
Mary married Charles Pieper on October 6, 1954 in Nauvoo, IL. They lived on a farm near Hillsboro, IA until moving to Ottumwa in 1965. They raised their 8 children, first on the farm and then in their big house on Maple Ave. in Ottumwa. Charles died suddenly on August 11, 1995 after almost 41 years of marriage.
Along with raising her children she also worked as a registered nurse at St. Joseph Hospital in Ottumwa from 1966 to 1972. Mary then worked for Dr. Edward Ebinger and Dr. Veronica Butler until she retired in 1996.
She was a member of St. Mary of the Visitation where she was involved in St. Mary’s Family Service League, Ministry of Care Committee and Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Mary was involved in the Resident Advocacy Committee for Vista Woods Care Center, Hospice of Wapello and Davis County Auxiliary, Ottumwa Lionels, Ottumwa Women’s Club, RSVP Board Member and B-Square Dance Club.
Surviving are her children, Sally (Mike) Criswell, Teri (Mark) Lancaster, Jane (Eric) Fritz and Luke Pieper all of Ottumwa, Albert (Dawn) Pieper of Ankeny, Melvin (Alayne) Pieper of Norwalk and Diane Addis of Tiffin; a daughter-in-law, Ann Pieper of Tiffin; 15 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 2 step children; 5 step-grandchildren; 2 step great grandchildren; a brother, Paul Weber; 2 brothers-in-law; a sister-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Charles and Oscar; her son, Patrick Pieper; grandson, Travis Fritz; a stepson; a step grandchild; 2 brothers, Edwin Weber and John Weber; a sister, Eileen Weber; 6 sisters-in-law; and 3 brothers-in-law.
Visitation will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday March 15th at Reece Funeral Home. A Rosary and Christian Wake Service will be held at 2 p.m. followed by family present to greet friends until 5 p.m. Sunday.
Funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Monday March 16th at St. Mary of the Visitation. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to The Lord’s Cupboard, your local food pantry or Seton Catholic School.
