Obituaries : Mary Ann Pladsen

On Friday, October 17, 2025, Mary Ann Pladsen left us and went to Heaven to be with her lord and savior, Jesus Christ. While we are heartbroken and missing her presence among us, we are also joyful that she is reunited with Christ, all the angels and saints, and her beloved son, Troy. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Vinton, with Father Jim Brokman as Celebrant. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, at Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home, with a Rosary at 3:30 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Vinton.

Mary Ann Peyton was born the first child of Earl and Vera (Fischer) Peyton on June 3, 1943 in Chicago. The young Irish family lived in Chicago until the end of World War II after which they then moved on to settle in Waukon. Mary Ann attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School where she excelled academically. Following graduation in 1961, Mary Ann, being a strong, independent woman, moved by herself to Minneapolis to attend business school and work at Honeywell.

On April 20, 1968, Mary Ann married the love of her life, David Pladsen, at the beautiful St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Waukon. During the late 1960s Mary Ann and Dave welcomed their first two children, Peggy and Troy. In the 1970s they added Brian and Crystal to the family and finally son Justin completed the Pladsens in the 1980s.

The Pladsen family landed in Vinton in 1979 where Mary Ann kept busy with the kids, often leading girl scouts, teaching CCD at St. Mary Catholic Church, and attending the children’s activities.  In addition to this she volunteered as a poll worker for many elections, was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and several local school committees-including the committee that led to the merger of Vinton and Shellsburg schools in 1989. Mary Ann was a strong advocate for things she felt were important, always expressing her opinion. One of Mary Ann’s proudest accomplishments was that, while raising five children, she attended Kirkwood Community College and earned her degree in accounting in 1990. Mary Ann loved learning and often stressed the importance of education to her children.

In 1994, Mary Ann and Dave’s world changed forever with the death of their son, Troy. With their strong faith in Jesus, they somehow managed to keep going in life, but the Pladsen family was never the same. Troy’s death left a void that could never be filled. Shortly after this, Dave and Mary retired from their jobs and spent time traveling. They saw many wonderful places such as Alaska, Ireland, Norway and Italy. Mary Ann also enjoyed the quilting guild at St. Mary, reading books, working crossword puzzles, and playing cards with friends. More importantly, she and Dave began welcoming several grandchildren into the world-all of whom they were so proud.

Towards the end of her life, Mary Ann’s physical health began to diminish rapidly and she was unable to continue to travel. Her spirit, however, was still feisty as ever! Dave always took care of Mary Ann with a fierce sense of love, devotion, and protection. It was at this time that their love for each other grew exponentially.

When Mary Ann’s physical care became too much for Dave to handle, she went to live at the Vinton Lutheran Home Communities. All the staff at the Lutheran Home treated Mary Ann with patience, love, and compassion and they quickly became her family. The Pladsen family will forever be grateful for the care Mary Ann received during her time there, as well as the physical and emotional support they provided for Dave.

Left on earth are Mary Ann’s husband, David; daughters: Peggy (Art) Heires, and Crystal (Ross) Coder; sons: Brian (Jennifer) Pladsen, and Justin (Jessica) Pladsen. She also leaves behind twelve grandchildren: John Heires, Breanna (Cory) Gustafson, Britain Pladsen, Paul Heires, Olivia Coder, Lexi (Baylee Jones) Miller, Blair Pladsen, Brooklyn Pladsen, Mason Coder, Caleb Coder, Gideon Pladsen, and Gabriel Pladsen; and one great-grandson, Cohen Gustafson. Mary Ann is also survived by her brothers: Richard (Sue), Patrick (Debbie), and Dennis (Ruth Meirick) Peyton; her sister, Rosalie Kilpatrick; sister-in-law, Teri Peyton; brother-in-law, Ron Brockman; and several nieces and nephews.

Those greeting her in heaven were her parents; her beloved son, Troy; sister, Elizabeth Brockman; brother, Michael Peyton; and many other family and friends.

A memorial has been established and may be directed to St. Mary Cemetery, Vinton, or the Vinton Lutheran Home Living Communities.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com