Hometown: LaMotte, Iowa February 22, 1923 - September 15, 2014

Mary Ehlinger, 91, formerly of La Motte, passed away Monday, September 15, 2014 at Ennoble Manor Care Center in Dubuque, Iowa. Her Funeral Mass will be held Friday, September 19, 2014 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Key West, Iowa. Family and Friends may call Thursday, September 18, 2014 from 3 – 8 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Key West. Burial will be at the Holy Rosary Cemetery in La Motte, Iowa. Lahey Funeral Cremation Services is helping the family with their services. Mary Catherine Bonifas was born on February 22, 1923 in St. Donatus, Iowa to Henry and Rosa (Haxmeier) Bonifas. She was united in marriage to Loren Ehlinger on April 27, 1943 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in La Motte, Iowa. She graduated from Zwingle High School. She was a homemaker and most importantly a mother. After raising her children she cleaned houses and offices. Mary was an avid sewer, liked to doodle and had artistic talents. Her greatest joy in life was to have her family around to spend time with and listen to their stories. She is survived by nineteen children; Jim (Penny) Ehlinger of Dubuque, Paul (Vivian) Ehlinger of Houston, TX, David (Louise) Ehlinger of Dubuque, Bob (Beth) Ehlinger of Cedar Rapids, Tom (Linda) Ehlinger of Key West, Allan (Julie) Ehlinger of La Motte, Diane (Gregg) Hird of Lake City, MN, Mick (Deb) Ehlinger of La Motte, John (Pamela) Ehlinger of Omaha, Steve (Amy) Ehlinger of St. Donatus, Mary Ann (Denny) Knight of Maquoketa, Dan (Terri) Ehlinger of La Motte, Delores (Ron) Gansemer of Sherill, Carla Sommers of Tiffin, Margie (Phillip) Brinker of Maquoketa, Suzy (Paul)Nemmers of La Motte, Patrick (Carol) Ehlinger of Winona, MN, Donna (Steve) Bormann of La Motte, and Darla (Mike) Lyons of La Motte, 52 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, one brother-in-law Kenneth Ehlinger, and 5 sister-in-laws; Avy Ehlinger, Dorothy Ehlinger, Bessie Ehlinger, Verna Bonifas, and Leila Stierman. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers; Sylvester, Roman, and Eldon Bonifas, and three sisters; Alverta Clasen, Bernice Westemeier, and Margaret (Sister Myra) Bonifas. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hospice of Dubuque or Alzheimer's Association.