Mary Alessio

Mary S. Alessio, 98, of Oelwein, Iowa, died peacefully on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Grandview HealthCare Center in Oelwein.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 A.M. Monday, September 28, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oelwein, with Rev. Issac Boadu officiating.
Visitation: 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. Monday, September 28, 2026, at Schmitz Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Highway 150 South, Oelwein.
Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein, Iowa.
A luncheon will follow at the church.
Memorials will be given to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Mary Sabina Alessio was born May 20, 1928, on a farm northwest of Oelwein to August and Vernie (Rickey) Hinneman. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Oelwein and attended a secretarial school following high school.

Mary worked as a secretary throughout her career, including 22 years with the Chicago Great Western Railroad. She also enjoyed working and attending dances at the Oelwein Coliseum Ballroom during the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Family and friends were very important to Mary. She was a devoted mother who often carried the responsibilities of both mother and father. She loved having her grandchildren visit and kept baskets of toys and a wonderful collection of classic movies for them to enjoy. People who knew her considered her one of the nicest people they had ever met.

Mary enjoyed gardening, having and attending garage sales, the color pink and flamingos. She was an excellent cook. Sunday lunches were always a special tradition, featuring her famous spaghetti and meatballs. She also loved taking pictures at family gatherings and carefully preserved those memories in dozens of photo albums.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Debbie Gruver (Jerry Soper); two sons, Gary Alessio (Karen) and Christopher Grover (Michelle Kappmeyer); 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, John Alessio and William Grover; and her brother, Robert Hinneman.