Mary Elizabeth Riedesel

Mary Elizabeth Riedesel, 75, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on March 9, 2026, with her hands held by her loving children.

Mary was born November 22, 1950, in Algona, Iowa, to Maurice and Betty (Bormann) Reding. She was raised with her 11 siblings on a farm in Kossuth County, Iowa. She attended high school at Bishop Garrigan High School in Algona, and she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1973.

On June 15, 1974, she married Warren Riedesel, originally from Glidden, in a ceremony in her hometown of Algona. They began their married life in Ames before moving to Great Falls, Montana, and then returned to Des Moines to be closer to family and have made it their home for the past 43 years. Mary taught school for more than 40 years, including 29 years as a kindergarten teacher at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Beaverdale where she was affectionately known as “Mrs. R.” She retired in 2013.

Family was Mary’s #1 priority. She especially cherished time with her four grandchildren, Carter, Freddy, Sydney, and William. She was a most devoted grandmother, always up for anything her grandkids enjoyed, including spending countless hours battling at gin rummy and Uno, decorating sugar cookies, learning to play chess, giving sewing lessons, playing along with made-up games, exploring museums, and attending sports activities, plays, dance recitals, and speech contests.

The number of people Mary positively impacted over her too-short life is immeasurable, including her more than 700 kindergarten students, one of whom (Dr. Molly Gross) skillfully and lovingly performed surgery in an effort to save Mary’s life. Mary was known for her kindness and had an amazing ability to make everyone feel loved, nurtured, and valued, whether with words or the best hugs; it was her superpower. She cared little about material things, focusing instead on things in life that truly mattered, like family and all people. During her retirement, she was passionately involved as a volunteer for Des Moines Refugee Support, quietly working behind the scenes. She had a steadfast faith in God, and was a devoted member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Mary is survived by her husband of 52 years, Warren; her children, Grant (Laura Ferrell) Riedesel of Chicago and Erin (Kevin) Bell of Des Moines; her grandchildren, Carter Warren Bell (11) and Sydney Mary Ellen Bell (10) of Des Moines and Freddy Goeres Riedesel (11) and William Nairn Riedesel (9) of Chicago; her twin brother, Larry (Mary Jo) Reding of Plano, Texas; other siblings, Jean (Lew) Sitzmann of Kingsley; Jane (Dennis) Crabb of Denison; Joan (Mike) Driscoll of Jackson, Minnesota; Kathy (Kirk) Doll of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Rick (Diane) Reding of Athens, Alabama; Maury (Becky) Reding of Des Moines; Patty (Mick) Elbert of Algona; John (Rochelle) Reding of Nashville, Tennessee; Ann (Ray) Beenken of Gilbert, Arizona; and Tony (Karen) Reding of Urbandale; Warren’s sister, Barb (Riedesel) Iverson of Minneapolis; and 43 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Maurice and Betty Reding, as well as Nicholas Reding, a sibling who died at birth, and her nephew, Allen Reding.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 15th at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (2922 Beaver Ave., Des Moines) from 4:00-6:00 p.m. The funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 16th at 10:00 a.m., also at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, with a lunch to follow at Christopher’s Restaurant. A private burial will be held at Glendale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to Holy Trinity Catholic School (www.holytrinitydm.org/donate) or Des Moines Refugee Support (www.dsmrefugees.org).

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