Mary Jo Hunchis

August 6, 1935 - April 7, 2019

Mary Jo Hunchis, 83, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2019. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 12th at St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center in Cedar Falls. A luncheon will be served following the service. Visitation will be Thursday, April 11th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Richardson Funeral Service, where there will be a 4 p.m. Rosary and 7 p.m. Vigil Service. Visitation also for one hour prior to the service. Mary Jo was born on August 6, 1935 in Mason City, Iowa. She was the daughter of Thomas and Frances (Brady) Hayes of Ventura, Iowa. She attended school in Ventura where she graduated as Valedictorian of her class in 1952. She attended and graduated with honors from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI with a degree in Dental Hygiene. Mary Jo married John Hunchis on June 15, 1958 in Clear Lake, Iowa. She was a devoted mother to four children, Mary Stichter (Jim) of Cedar Falls, IA, Fran Maakestad (Randy) of Plano, TX, Julie Morrison (Roger) of Omaha, NE and John Hunchis (Candee) of Northwood, IA. Mary Jo was blessed with 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. While raising her family, Mary Jo also worked at Manly State Bank and later at Principal Financial Group in Mason City, Iowa. She served for many years as secretary of the school board for the North Central School District in Manly, Iowa. Mary Jo enjoyed golfing, playing the piano and attending her children’s and grandchildren’s school and athletic events. She was an avid bowler and bridge player. Throughout her life, Mary Jo loved gardening and her passion was tea roses. Mary Jo’s Catholic faith sustained her through her life. She was preceded in death by her mother, Frances, her father, Thomas. Memorials will be directed to Cedar Bend Humane Society.