Mari Margaret Eitel Obituary (1955

Mari M. Eitel, 66, of Maynard, Iowa, died suddenly on Wednesday evening, November 23, 2022, at Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner, Iowa. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Hawkeye Community Hall in Hawkeye, Iowa, on January 6, 2023 (Friday) from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. All are welcome to come share memories and a meal with the family. Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Maynard, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family for future designation. Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com Mari Margaret O'Day was born December 28, 1955, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Alfred William "Bud" O'Day and Lorraine Jean (Omann) Griffith. She graduated from West Central High School in Maynard in 1974. Mari married Jerry Eitel on November 29, 1975, and they remained married for 20 years. Mari later graduated from Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar where she worked as a distance learning secretary until her retirement. Following her retirement, Mari loved working as a para educator at West Central School in Maynard where she was known to all the children as "Grandma Mari." Mari was loved by everyone she came across. She loved her friends & getting together, her girls' trips, sitting on her porch or back room listening to blues or classic rock on her vinyl records, or just visiting and catching up. She was Irish through and through and put her family and friendships above all. She was especially proud of being recognized as a Lady of Kerry. Her grape jelly was northeast Iowa famous, and if you were lucky enough to get a meal from her, you could feel the love coming from it. Mari was also proud of her yard, flowers, and garden, and could be found tending those things with care in the summer months if she wasn't taking a road trip or attending an outdoor concert with friends. Her favorite thing, however, was always spending time with her family, whether it was hosting dinners, cheering on her grandkids at their sporting events, hosting sleepovers, making grandma sandwiches, or following their whereabouts on social media. Mari was incredible at making friends wherever she went, was thoughtful to all she cared about, and went out of her way to show it. She passed that down to Amy & Jacob, which is apparent in the outpouring of love and support shown during this difficult time. She will be incredibly missed by all who knew her. Mari is survived by her 2 Children: Amy (Matt) Boehm of Elgin and Jacob (Shelby) Eitel of Hawkeye; 5 Grandchildren: Isabell, Abby, Logan, Lilli and Blake; Siblings: Pat (Mikey) Lynch of Lizella, Georgia; Kim (Judy) O'Day-Lavell of Denver, Colorado and Kay Rueber of Westgate, Allen Griffith of Oelwein, and many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and great Friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws: Bob & Dorris Eitel; step-parents: Alice O'Day and Paul & Grace Griffith; brothers-in-law: Dean Rueber and Bill Arthur; sister-in-law: June Griffith; ex-husband: Jerry Eitel; great niece: Hilary Streif and too many friends to count.