Mary L. Raymond, 89, of Waterloo, formerly of Ottumwa and Dysart, died at her home Wednesday, February 19, 2014 of natural causes.

Mary Louise Tragord was born October 19, 1924 Ottumwa, Iowa, daughter of Elvin and Rose (Loy) Tragord. She grew up in Ottumwa until her family moved to Waterloo when she was a child. She was a tom boy and enjoyed all sports, riding her bicycle and skating.

Mary married Robert J. Raymond October 26, 1946 at Linden Methodist Church in Waterloo; he died December 21, 1986. She was busy as a mother and keeping house and cooking. She later enjoyed crochet handwork, crossword puzzles in ink, and going for drives in the car. She was proud of her children and grandchildren and when she was able to get her drivers license.

She worked during WWII at Associated Manufacturing making bombs for the war effort and then after the war at Rath Meat Packing in the Fresh Sausage Dept. and retired after 34 years in 1983. She was a member of Dysart United Methodist Church and had been a 30-year member of the Legion Auxiliary.

Mary is survived by her son Bob (Sonya Kosnar) Raymond of Gladbrook, Iowa; son: Larry Raymond of Conrad, Iowa; son James Raymond of Waterloo, Iowa; son Gary (Christopher Clark) Raymond of Charleston, South Carolina; daughter Susan (Bill) Tharp of Vinton, Iowa; six grandchildren: Edward Raymond of Hannahan, SC, Robert (Monica) Raymond of Oklahoma, Jessica (Scott) Good of Vinton, Scott Sondag of Brandon, Dustin (Johnny Schwarting) Sondag of Independence, Justin (Chelsea Hessenius) Tharp of Dysart; six great grandchildren: Bob, Lilly, and Ethan Raymond, Carter Good, Raelynn Sondag, and Avril Raymond; and sister-in-law LaMona Tragord.

She was preceded in death by her husband; daughter Mary Lou; daughter-in-law Deb Raymond; twin brother Elvin “Junior”, brothers Chuck and Bill and sister Rose Tragord.