Mary Catherine Fladung, age 87, died September 2, 2016 at her home in rural Washington, Iowa.

Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 8, 2016, at St. James Catholic Church in Washington with Fr. Bernie, Fr. Charles Fladung and Fr. Stephen Page officiating. A D.C.C.W. Rosary will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at St. James Catholic Church where a prayer service will be held at 4:00 p.m. and the family will receive friends until 7:00 p.m. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington at a later date. A memorial has been established for St. James Catholic Church. Jones & Eden Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent for Mary's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com

Mary, a life-long resident of Washington County, was born July 16, 1929 at the Washington County Hospital to John C. and Marguerite A. (Kron) Knotek. Growing up on her parent's purebred Duroc hog farm, she was active in the Farmerettes 4-H club and served as a junior leader for many years. As a senior at Washington High School, class of 1948, she presented an award winning demonstration of kolache baking, which was a pastry from her Czech heritage. Those 4-H skills served in her homemaking, gardening and canning.

At a Saint Patrick's dance at Swailes she met David Fladung. The two were married September 8, 1954 at St. James Catholic Church in Washington. They made their home at Wellman, Iowa on the Fladung family century farm and later rural Washington. Mary was a member of the 76 Club, D.C.C.W., and Prayer Chain leader for her parish.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, David J. Fladung; sons: Fr. Charles Fladung of Sigourney, Iowa; Jay Fladung of Washington, Iowa; Kerry Fladung and wife Nanette of Sioux City, Iowa; and Alan Fladung and wife Ranee of Wellman, Iowa; five grandchildren; Royce, Roger and Logan Fladung and Amelia K. Fladung and David D. Fladung; sisters; Lou Lemley of Washington, Iowa and Linda Wiles and husband Jim of Kalona, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Ralph.