Mary Jane Ewers

Mary Jane (Quirk) Ewers, 87, of Ottawa, died peacefully at home on October 15, 2011. Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00pm Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at St. Columba Church with Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 - 7:00pm Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at Ottawa Funeral Home with prayers at 4:00. Visitation will also be Wednesday from 10:30 - 12:30 at Ottawa Funeral Home prior to services. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery. Mary Jane was born on December 17, 1923 in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of Thomas A. and Anna U. Quirk. She earned a BS in Dietetics from Fontbonne College (St. Louis) and an MS in Dietetics from University of Iowa before serving as Head Dietician for St. Lukes Hospital (St. Louis). Mary Jane married the late Frank J. Ewers (May 2, 2006) following his medical internship at San Diego Naval Hospital and service at Great Lakes Naval Station then they settled in Ottawa. She was a devoted wife and mother of five children; Mary Jane served her community as a volunteer for more than fifty years which included Camp Fire Girls, St. Columba Library, Pleasant View Lutheran Home, C.U.R.E. (Citizens United to Restore the Environment) and membership on the boards of St. Columba School, Ottawa Youth Center, Reddick Mansion and the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra were among her many causes. To the neighborhood children she was affectionately known as "the gingerbread lady" reflective of the homemade treats she offered at Halloween. She will be dearly missed by all whose lives she touched. Mary Jane is survived by 3 daughters, Anne Ewers of Philadelphia PA, Joan Panzer (Robert) of Nelson New Zealand, Mary Ewers-Dennison (Gary) of Estes Park, CO and 2 sons, John Ewers (Darlene) of Ottawa and Jim Ewers (Karrie) of Makanda, IL; six grandchildren, Jason, Jacob, Jeremy, Michelle, Erik and Kelley and six great grandchildren, Cole, Cody, Beau, Brady, Hayley and Gabriella. In addition to her husband, Frank, she was predeceased by three sisters, Ellen Barnicle, Rosemary Knobloch and Ann Constance Carr; one brother, James Quirk; and her grandson, Justin Ewers; and her grand daughter-in-law Kim Ewers. Pallbearers will be Jeremy Ewers, Jacob Ewers, Jason Ewers, Michelle Panzer, Marty King and Marty Knobloch. Honorary Pallbearers will be Penny Crowley, Mary Irene Walsh, Ruth Martini, Kathy Gonzalo, Helen Reynolds, Judy Augustyniak, Cynthia Sanderson and Fran Woodward. Memorials may be directed to the family.