Mass of Christian Burial was held for Mary Leta Foley on Tuesday, March 8; 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Manning, Iowa. Reverend Andrew Hoffmann was Celebrant. Lector was Mike Mapes, Eucharistic Ministers were Ken and Marilyn Foley, Mass Servers were Lisa Foley (granddaughter), Shelby Hansen and Ericka Tank, Gift Bearers were granddaughters Kimberly Ross, Melissa Erra and Julie VanEtten. Music was provided by the Sacred Heart Choir, vocalist was Mary Corley and organist was Pat Heithoff. Interment was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Manning, Iowa with Mark Mapes, Matt Mapes, Martin Mapes, John VanEtten, Joe VanEtten, Ryan Sorensen, Nick Palmer, Jason Foley, James Foley, and Andrew Foley as casketbearers. Honorary casketbearers were Orren Ramsey, Jerome Kasperbauer, Jack Chase, Ray Sporrer, Ken Foley, Cleon McMahon, Joe Harrington, Bill Mikesch, Mike Ross, and Drew Erra.

Mary Leta, daughter of Edward Martin and Agnes Loretta (Powers) McMahon, was born January 15, 1915, on a farm near Manilla, Iowa. She graduated from Manilla High School in 1931 and then completed Normal Training. Leta worked at W.B. Parrot Produce in Manning and also taught grades K-8 at a rural school in Eden Township.

On July 16, 1934, Leta was united in marriage with Malick Donald Foley at Sacred Heart Church in Manilla with Father Dennis Clark officiating. They made their home in Manning and Malick farmed south of Carroll. Five children were born to this union. Malick and Leta were married 61 years.

Leta, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, remained very active until the age of 90 years. With her husband, she enjoyed years of dancing, card clubs, bingo and bowling leagues with their many friends. Leta was a Cub Scout Den Mother for many years and an active member of Sacred Heart Parish in Manning. She was a member of Little Flower Study Club, a charter member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas for over 50 years, and served as Grand Regent and held other offices in the Altar and Rosary Society. Leta was involved in community service as a volunteer at the Manning Plaza and at New Hope Village. Leta and over 200 friends and relatives celebrated her 90th birthday on October 23, 2004, at Sacred Heart Parish.

Leta's health began to deteriorate after the first of the year and she died on Saturday, March 5, 2005, at Manning Regional Healthcare Center, Manning, Iowa, at the age of 90 years, 1 month and 18 days.

Preceding her in death are her parents; husband; grandson Jonathan Palmer; son-in-law Dan Raasch; four brothers Cletus, Vernet, Edward, and Clarence McMahon; four sisters-in-law Pat McMahon, Christine McMahon , Marcella Foley and Louise Ryan; and four brothers-in-law Leonard Goodman, Edward Foley, Edward Ryan and Eugene Harrington.

Leta will be missed by her five children: Mary Lou Raasch of Omaha, Nebraska; Betty and husband Charles VanEtten of LaVista, Nebraska; Donna and her husband Soren Sorensen of Omaha, Nebraska; Pamela and husband Steve Palmer of Winterset; and Michael Foley and wife Jean of Ankeny; sixteen grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sister Delphine Goodman of Des Moines; three sisters-in-law Marie McMahon of Sacramento, California, Mary A. Harrington of Omaha, Nebraska, and Isabelle Bengford of Manning; several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.