Mary Coy

Mary Coy, age 89, died peacefully in her room at Valley View Village on April 15, 2024. A private family graveside service will be determined at a later date.

Mary was born on May 23, 1934 in Gallatin, MO to William A and LulaMae Becker. She had 2 older brothers (William & Kenneth) and 2 older sisters (Pauline and Mildred).

She lived with her siblings on a farm until around age 7 when the family moved into town as her dad had been unable to make a living as a farmer. He took a job selling Watkins products during the Great Depression and sadly, in 1943 her parents divorced. Afterwards she had to endure many moves with her Mom between small towns in both MO and IA, eventually graduating from Winston, MO High School.

After graduation she met the love of her life, Ed Coy, who had just returned home from the Korean War as a decorated Marine Corps veteran. They had a whirlwind romance and eventually tied the knot on Feb 27th, 1953. Their everlasting love endured for over 60 years and produced 3 handsome Coy Boys, Michael, Charles and Kenneth. Mary has always attributed their long lasting marriage to their undying, steadfast LOVE for each other, for family and for their steadfast faith in God.

Mary had lots of friends and loved to dance. She and Ed took ballroom dance lessons and then spent many wonderful nights dancing under the lights of the Val Air ballroom in West Des Moines. She was also an avid ELVIS fan and it was a standing tradition that her grandson Logan buy her an Elvis calendar every Christmas for her to hang in her kitchen for the next new year.

Her true passion was being a loving mother to her sons. She taught them how to play all kinds of board and card games while instilling her wisdom that if you’re gonna play – play to win! She was also truly a great cook as evidenced by the platters of fried chicken, green tomatoes and onion rings that her CoyBoys made disappear very quickly - you would’ve thought that they were professional magicians. In addition, she would can every bit of produce their ½ acre garden could grow and was also an accomplished baker, making “to die for” huge cinnamon rolls, which never lasted very long, and delicious homemade chocolate mayonnaise cakes!

Mary is survived by Sons: Michael (Vicki), Chuck (Sonya) & Ken; Grandkids: Lucas (Erica) & Logan (Bri); Emily & Betsy; and Meghan & Katie (Erik); Great Grandkids: Kyler, Cassidy and Kinley.

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