Mary Stanhope

Mary Jane Stanhope, 89, of Janesville, died on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at UnityPoint Allen Hospital in Waterloo. She was born on June 26, 1936, in Ridgeway, Iowa, the daughter of Melvin and Thelma (Teeter) Flaskerud. She graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1954 and worked in administration at Sartori Hospital in Cedar Falls for 29 years, retiring on January 14, 2001. On December 6, 1956, she was united in marriage to Fay LeeRoy Stanhope at First United Methodist Church in Cedar Falls. They resided in Orange Center and Waterloo before purchasing a farm outside of Janesville in 1967 where they settled and raised their four children. Together they spent many great years enjoying farm life, bringing crops to life, raising beef cattle and owning a few horses for recreation. Mary always had horses in her life up until age prevented her from caring for or riding them. In later life, they enjoyed traveling to visit relatives around the U.S. and seeing many of the great sights. Mary valued her friendships. Some going back as far as high school. That group of friends until recently met once a month for lunch to “catch-up.” Mary also loved to play cards. She and Fay belonged to a couple’s card club for many years, and she belonged to a woman’s card club. Between club meetings, she played cards at home every chance she got with her kids and grandkids. She was still playing several times a week at the Denver Sunset Home where she was residing. Mary also liked playing board games with the family, doing jigsaw puzzles, word finds and crosswords, and was an avid reader. Collecting Carousel Horses, Rux Bears, Redwing Crocks, and Fiesta Dinnerware were a passion, and she loved flowers and plants, especially yellow, her favorite color. Mary Jane’s life was full and colorful, filled with many different blessings. Her Methodist faith played a very large part in her life, especially the later years. She was a member of their Shephard’s Team visiting the sick and people not able to get around. Mary is survived by children, Lori (Mike) Price of Waterloo, Larry Stanhope of Magnolia, TX, and Ron Stanhope of Tracy; twelve grandchildren; and nineteen great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Alan; and four brothers, Lyle, Don, Russ, and Gordon. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 30, 2026, at the Janesville United Methodist Church with burial following at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 29th at Richardson Funeral Service in Cedar Falls and one hour before the service at the church. Memorials may be directed to the church.

Mary Stanhope

June 26, 1936 - March 18, 2026