Mary Elaine Nerness, 66, of Tama, passed away peacefully Monday, February 21, 2022, at her home in Tama. Funeral Services will be held Friday, February 25, 2022, at 11:00 AM at the Tama Meskwaki Celebration Assembly of God Church in Tama with Pastor Kenny Mervin officiating. Interment will follow at Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge, Iowa at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be held Friday, February 25, 2022 from 10 AM until the time of service at the church.

Mary was born on July 15, 1955, in Nevada, Iowa, the daughter of Louis and Sarah (Levin) Sorenson.

She graduated from Nevada High School and attended Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri.

On August 14, 1971, she was united in marriage to Steven Nerness at the Assembly of God Church in Nevada, Iowa. She and Steven were nationally appointed by the Assembly of God Church to be home missionaries for Native American Tribes across the country and were Pastors at the Assembly of God Church in Webster City, Iowa.

Mary was a member of the Tama Meskwaki Assembly of God Church in Tama. She loved gardening and also liked canning. She enjoyed teaching the children and adults at church in Sunday School as well as preaching.

Survivors include four children, Steven (Kari) Nerness Jr. of Springfield, MO, Misty Nerness of Tama, Israel (Jonalyn) Nerness of Toledo, and Jacob Nerness of Toledo; five grandchildren, Steven Nerness III, Elizabeth Nerness, Anna, Maya, and Sarah Nerness; mother-in-law, Jane Nerness of Cambridge; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Steven on November 30, 2020; two brothers, John Sorenson and Bill Farrington; and her father-in-law, Harlan Nerness.