Mary Ann Andersen

Mary Ann Andersen died Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at the age of 79 at the Westview Care Center in Britt, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of her soul at St. James Catholic Church, Forest City, IA 50436, on Friday, May 10, 2019 at 10:30 am. A memorial visitation will be held in Cigrand Hall, St James Church from 4:30 to 7:00 PM, Thursday, May 9, 2019, preceded by recitation of the Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus at 4:30 pm, with a Scripture Wake Service to follow. Visitation continues at the church one hour prior to the funeral mass.

Mary Ann Andersen was born June 30, 1939, in Decorah, IA, to Hubert Leo and Ruth Cherel (Minden) McCauley. The family moved to Elkader, IA, in 1941. Mary Ann attended Catholic schools in Elkader, Decorah, and Eagle Grove, and public school in New Haven, CT and Forest City Community School. She graduated from Forest City High School in 1957, named by the faculty as Outstanding Girl of the Class. She attended Clarke College in Dubuque for 1 ½ years.

She married Richard Rogeness April 23, 1960. Four children we’re born: Gary Allen, Sheila Ann, Swen Joseph, and Steven James. Richard and Mary Ann were divorced in 1970. Mary Ann married Lorny Andersen September 3, 1988. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Sociology at the University of Minnesota, Mankato, 1991, at the age of 51.

Mary Ann worked for McCauley Studio, Forest Theater, Johnson Drug, Morris Insurance, Palace of Sweets, Laminated Pins, Inc, Forest City School District, Coachman Trailer Company, Vacaville, CA, Forest City Chamber of Commerce, Forest City Treatment Center, Prairie Ridge Addiction and Treatment Services, Woden-Crystal Lake School/City of Crystal Lake. In 1988 she retired from Winnebago Ind after 13 years of service.

Mary Ann was an active member of St. James Catholic Church, Forest City, serving as an organist for nearly 65 years. She directed the St. James Shola Cantorum, and was involved with other church ministries an committees as well (co-chaired Guild, chaired Liturgy Committee, taught 8th Grade CCD, served as sacristan, lector, and led Rosary an Stations of the Cross). Mary Ann completed the Dubuque Archdiocesan Lay Ministry Foundation program in 1996 and was commissioned a Lay Leader of Prayer.

She cherished special memories of her trips to Alaska, Rome, Hawaii, day trips with grandkids when they were young, attending their sports, 4H, speech, and music activities. Spending time with Our Lord in front of the Blessed Sacrament was of great importance to her and she counted as special privileges attending sacred liturgy conferences in Chicago and St. Paul. Other activities she enjoyed were music, reading, cooking, photography, needlework, crossword puzzles (in ink!), connecting with family and friends on Facebook, writing poetry and song parodies, and bantering with anyone, especially Lorny.

Mary Ann is survived by her husband of more than 30 years, Lorny D. Andersen, Crystal Lake; her children, Gary Allen (Michelle) Rogeness, Oslo, Norway; Sheila Ann Rogeness, Sioux City; Swen Joseph Rogeness, Florida; Steven James Rogeness, Forest City, IA; her grandchildren Kerri (Dan) Johannsen, Des Moines, Sara (Brian) Baxter, Kansas City, MO, Brandon Rogeness, Phoenix, AZ, Christopher Rogeness, San Diego, CA; Parker Rogeness, Forest City; Shauna McKnight, Portland, OR; Nicholas Rogeness, Birmingham AL; Levi Rogeness, Ames IA; great grandson Milo James Johannsen; sisters Martha E. McCauley, Redlands, CA and Sara (John) Rytkonen, Sulpher, LA, along with nieces, nephews, cousins and all members of Lorny’s family whom she loved very much.

Preceding her in death: Her parents, brothers Joey, Bob, and Mark, sister-in-law Lilia, in-laws Stanley and Mary Andersen.

Special thanks are offered to her parents along with the many priests, Presentation, BVM, Benedictine, and Dominican Sisters, and parish communities, all who formed her in the Catholic faith.

Please direct memorials for Masses to St. James Catholic Church, Forest City, IA, in gratitude for the gifts of sobriety (since 1984) and freedom from nicotine (since 2001). Thank you, God!