Mary Bruty

Mary Ferguson Bruty, age 75, of Washington, Iowa, died Friday, March 21, 2014 at the Kavanagh Hospice House in Des Moines, Iowa. Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 29, 2014, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home with Pastor Maureen Howard officiating. Calling hours will begin noon Friday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. Friday. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. Memorials have been established for the Bright Kavanagh House – Family Foundation. Online condolences may be sent for Mary’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com. Mary was born March 4, 1939, in Chippewa County, MN, the daughter of Arnold and Mathilda (Greseth) Denton. Her family lived on the Greseth family farm north of Dawson, MN, where her parents and three sisters lived with and cared for Grandma and Grandpa Greseth. She married Dennis Ferguson on September 4, 1957. She later married Robert Bruty on January 12, 1990. Mary and Dennis raised their three children on a farm north of Canby, MN. A large cattle operation to care for, Mary took care of all of the bookwork and helped with the family farm. Mary also had a custom drapery and interior design business. The sound of music filled the family home with Mary and Kristi on the piano, Dennis on the accordion and Kristi and Kathy on the clarinet. In 1978, they left the farm and moved to Washington, IA, where Mary attended college courses at the University of Iowa, worked as a CNA and spent many years as a legal secretary. Mary and Bob owned and operated Bruty Lumber and Mary’s furniture and design store, the Heritage Gallery. Mary and Bob worked together everyday, six days a week, leaving only to have lunch together at local restaurants. When they were not at work, they were discussing work and the world’s news at their kitchen island. Mary and Bob liked to travel and family gatherings at the Bruty home were filled with fun and laughter. Mary enjoyed decorating their many homes, helping to design new homes for construction, shopping and eating out. The two of them always surprised each other with amazing thoughtful gifts on birthdays and holidays. The strength of their love for each other was undeniable. Mary is survived by her daughter, Kristi Van Laere and husband Bruce of DeWitt, IA; son, John Ferguson and wife Deanna of Grimes, IA; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister, Mollie Koskela of Kaui, HI; sister, Grace Ring of Blaine, MN; brother-in-law, Les Enevoldsen of Montevideo, MN; step daughter, Bev Lyons and husband Dick of St. Charles, IA; step son, Norm Bruty and wife Kim of Washington, IA: step daughter, Marsha Jensen of Washington, IA; step daughter, Brink Colby and husband Ed of Washington, IA; step daughter, Shelia Hanson and husband Chris of Washington, IA; six step grandchildren; two step great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Frank Bruty and wife Kirtene of Washington, IA; sister-in-law, Ellen Osborn and husband Ernie of Milan, IL; sister-in-law, Rita Mathes and husband Bill of Burlington, IA; brother-in-law, Gerald Cherryholmes of Denton, TX; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dennis Ferguson; husband, Bob Bruty; daughter, Kathy Evans; and sister, Sonja Enevoldsen.

Mary Bruty

March 4, 1939 - March 21, 2014