Mary Jean Garland Kressin

Mary Jean Garland Kressin, 83, of Waterloo, IA, died on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics at Iowa City, IA.

Mary was born on February 13, 1940, in Waterloo, to Lester and Helena (Baker) Freeland. She married Rev. Lawrence "Larry" D. Garland on June 28, 1958, at Union Gospel Church, Waterloo. He preceded her in death on June 2, 2014. She later married John Kressin on May 1, 2015, at Burton Ave. Baptist Church in Waterloo.

Mary graduated from West High in 1958. She was a bookkeeper for Hy-Vee for 25 years. Mary and her husband, Larry, then went on to serve in the ministry and church planning at First Baptist Church in Peoria, IL., Yeddo Baptist Church in Kingman, IN., and First Baptist Church in Loup City, NE. Prior to her retirement, Mary spent several years working as a teller at Regions Bank. She was a longtime member of Burton Ave. Baptist Church and current member of Hagerman Baptist. Mary enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and Westerns, playing games on her IPad, and fishing with her husband in Florida.

She is preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Rev. Larry D. Garland; brother, Gary Freeland; and sisters, Judy Eastman, and Sandy Stevens.

Mary is survived by her husband, John Kressin; daughters, Kelly (Darrin) Hagedorn, Suzanne (Eric) Merchant, and Dianne (Bill) Maravetz; grandchildren, Ashley Peterson (Wes), Dustin Merchant, Abigail Merchant, Alex Maravetz, and Emily Maravetz; great-grandchildren, Emma, Lucy, and Molly Peterson; sister, JoAnn Flyingman; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave, Waterloo. Funeral Ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at Hagerman Baptist, 1105 Knoll Ave, Waterloo with an additional visitation one hour prior to the service.

Burial will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Hagerman Baptist, 1105 Knoll Ave, Waterloo, IA

Locke at Tower Park is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.LockeFuneralServices.com