A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Jo Greene will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg, Iowa. The Catholic Daughters of America will hold a Rosary on Friday, March 7, at 3:45 P.M. at Martin-Mattice Funeral Home in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Visitation will follow the Rosary.
Interment is at Calvary Cemetery in Ruthven, Iowa.
Mary Jo (Tobin) Greene, daughter of Joseph and Frances (Carlson) Tobin, was born July 22, 1933 in Washington, Iowa. She received her education in Ainsworth, Iowa, graduating from Ainsworth High School. Mary continued her education at Iowa State Teachers College, now known as the University of Northern Iowa, where she received degrees in Home Economics and English. Mary then began her teaching career.
While in college Mary met her future husband, Maurice Greene. They were united in marriage on June 4, 1956 in Washington, Iowa. Maurice and Mary were blessed with nine children. They raised their family on their farm near Ruthven.
Once Mary raised her family she was employed as the Food Service Director at Horizon’s Unlimited in Emmetsburg as well as St. Luke’s Lutheran Home in Spencer. Mary was elected as a Palo Alto County Supervisor in 1991 and continued serving until 2002. Besides being a faithful wife, devoted mother, and employee, Mary always found time to volunteer for countless organizations, helping in any way she could.
Mary was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ruthven and later Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg. She was an active member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas.
In 1992 Mary was selected as UNI Parent of the Year which was an honor after having six of her children attend her alma mater. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States as well as internationally. She liked to sew and knit, making many keepsakes for family and friends. Mary was an avid reader and if the weather was nice, could be found sitting on her patio with a book. Friends and family were cherished by Mary and she loved entertaining them. Throughout the years, she has kept in contact with her high school and college friends. Mary was very proud to have both the Tobin and Greene farms be honored as Century Farms.
Mary passed away Sunday, March 2, 2025 at her home in West Des Moines, at the age of 91. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Frances Tobin; her husband, Maurice on February 12, 1984; sisters-in-law, Betty Tobin and Mary Eleanor Greene; and brothers-in-law, Gerald Greene and Donald Greene.
She is survived by her daughters, Maurine Greene of Blue Springs, Missouri, Michele Greene of West Des Moines, Iowa, Marilyn (Ed) Noonan of Ayrshire, Iowa and Margaret (Mike) Tucker of Strawberry Point, Iowa; her sons, Michael Greene of Spencer, Iowa, Mark Greene of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Matthew Greene of Ruthven, Iowa, Maury (Kristin) Greene of Minnetonka, Minnesota, and Marty (Kim) Greene of Chardon, Ohio; 19 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Lois Greene of Ankeny, Iowa; her brother, Patrick Tobin of Ainsworth, Iowa; as well as other relatives and friends.
Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
martinmatticefuneralhome.com
