Mary Ellen Lahr, Delhi, Iowa

Mary Ellen Lahr, 71, of Delhi, passed away peacefully at home on July 27, 2024.
Visitation will be held from 3 – 7 pm on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Kramer Funeral
Home in Dyersville, Iowa. Visitation will continue Wednesday morning from 9 – 10:15
am at the funeral home prior to funeral mass.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at St. John’s
Catholic Church in Delhi with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Gabriel Anderson will
officiate.
Mary was born October 2, 1952, in Manchester, Iowa, daughter of Donald and Eula
(Ridenour) Every. She grew up in Colesburg, Iowa and attended Ed-Co High School.
She married Jim Deutmeyer on November 29, 1969. Together they raised their five
children while farming north of Luxemburg. They later divorced but remained friends.
While working at the Dyersville Sales Barn, Mary met Kenny Lahr who would become
her loving partner for the remainder of her life. They married August 20, 1999. Together
they enjoyed the serenity of their lakeside property in Delhi. Mary joined Kenny working
sales at the Edgewood Sales Barn and was Director at the Delhi Library for ten years.
Mary found joy in the simple things in life. Her pleasure in life could be found in a good
book, watching the many birds that visited their backyard paradise and always she
found joy in “dirt therapy” working her flower beds in the yard. Her greatest joys were
found in the time she spent with Kenny by her side and surrounded by her children,
grandchildren and great granddaughters. Whether it be one of their campfires sitting
beneath the stars eating smores with the grandkids, holiday craft projects with the girls
and grandkids, or the daily messaging sharing nature pictures or music with her
children, these were the moments that brought her happiness. Her sunroom and view of
the yard became a peaceful retreat for all who visited.
Mary was a bright and determined woman never afraid of a challenge. Referring to her
flower beds, cooking and life in general, she always said it’s simply a trial-and-error
process. Her never-ending strength and resilience were evident in her battle with
cancer. Like her beloved hummingbirds, Mary was small but mighty. She touched the
lives of many and will be greatly missed.
Mary is survived by her husband, Kenny; children: Chad (Diane) Deutmeyer, Earlville,
Lora (Jay) Gaul, New Vienna, Niki (Shawn) Burchard, Dyersville, Matt (Tiffinni)
Deutmeyer, Dyersville, Crystal (Johahn) Marmaduke, Rib Lake, WI; stepdaughters:
Kristi (Dean) DeNoma, Marshall, WI, Stacey (Justin) McCurnin, Nevis, MN; 21
grandchildren and 2 great granddaughters; brothers: Steve (Mary Ann) Every,
Colesburg, Chuck (Vicki) Every, Cedar Rapids; sisters-in-law Becky Forkenbrock,

Colesburg, Joan Lahr, Hopkinton, Donna (Loras) Manternach, Masonville and Joyce
(Clarence) Freisinger, Oak Grove, MN.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, and younger brother Tom Every.
The family would like to thank the staff at Care Initiatives Hospice and the loving staff at
the MercyOne Dubuque Cancer Center, both caring for Mary with great compassion and
kindness.
Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family. Information is available at
www.kramerfuneral.com.  Memorials may be sent to the family, (in care of Kramer
Funeral Home) 750 12 th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA  52040.