Mary Louise Hayden, 96, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Terrace Glen Village in Marion.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW.  Celebration of Life service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Brosh Chapel.  Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery.

Mary was born May 3, 1928, in Marengo, the daughter of Ben B. and Florences M.  (Hawkins) Merritt.   She graduated from Marengo High School.  Mary was united in marriage to Joseph "Joe" E. Hayden on October 4, 1947, at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids.   She worked as a bookkeeper for Mid-America Dairy for over forty years, retiring in May of 1990.  She enjoyed crosswords, sewing, cooking, and most of all spending time with her family.

Mary is survived by her children Peggy (DeWayne) Buettner, Becky (Bob) Havlicek and Al (Karen) Hayden; seven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Jean Merritt and Marilyn Merritt; as well as her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joe, grandsons Ben Havlicek and Luke Buettner, and her brothers Keith Merritt, Charles Merritt, James (Beverly) Merritt and Ronald Merritt.

Memorials may be directed to the Heartland Hospice.

The Family would like to thank the staff at Terrace Glen Village in Marion for the wonderful ongoing care they gave mom during her time there.