Mary Jennings

Mary Luanne Van Haaften was born on December 18, 1934, at Cedar Falls, Iowa. She was the daughter of Frank and Grace Carolyn (Bannister-Hillard) Van Haaften. Mary grew up with her half-brother, Alvin John Van Haaften, and completed only a 6th grade education due to her bout with rheumatic fever.
Mary was living with her parents in Leighton, Iowa while her father, Frank Van Haaften, was operating Leighton Locker Service which he had built in 1951. It was during this time she met Clarence Eugene Jennings who was working at Pick's store in Allerton, Iowa while she was making a delivery. Mary and Clarence were united in marriage in 1954 while he was stationed with the United States Navy in California.
Soon after their marriage they began their family: Carolyn, Catherine, David, Cynthia, Michael, and William in a span of six years and later adopted, Dan. As typical with a military service career the family moved often during the years, from California, to Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, and Hawaii. Clarence was discharged from the Navy in Illinois and then joined the United States Air Force with which he served for 25 years.
Mary and Clarence lived no more than five years in one place and she was a devoted wife and faithful mother. Following this discharge they moved to rural Leighton, Iowa and in 1981 into Pella, Iowa. For the past 20 years they have made their residence in Dutchman's Landing near Pella where she passed away unexpectedly Monday, April 13, 2020, at the age of 85 years.
Mary is survived by her husband, Clarence; six children and their spouses, 15 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. They and their families are:
Carol and Shayne Smith of Castle Rock, Colorado;
Cathy Jennings of Pella, Iowa;
David E. Jennings of Bellvue, Nebraska;
(Cindy) and Dave Adamson of Buckley, Illinois;
Michael and Hong Dao Jennings of Indiana;
Francis Tooley of Indianapolis, IN;
Bill and Inge Jennings of Glenwood, Iowa;
Dan and Jennifer Jennings of Pella, Iowa.
Mary was preceded in death by her daughter, Cindy Adamson; a granddaughter, Shannon Michelle Jennings; her parents, Frank and Grace Van Haaften; her brother, Alvin J. Van Haaften and his wife, Eleanor; and her parents-in-law, Ira and Mary Jennings.
Mary enjoyed reading and doing crossword puzzles. She was a member of the Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton, Iowa and will be remembered as a loving, kind, patient person who was always there for everyone.
A family graveside service was held on Friday, April 18, at 2 pm at the Evergreen Cemetery in Leighton, Iowa. The family prefers any memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.