Mary Margaret Gengler

In lieu of gifts and flowers please direct memorial contributions in her name to St. Mary’s in Remsen, IA or your local Pro-Life ministry, a cause near and dear to her heart.

Mary Margaret Gengler, age 91, of Remsen, IA died on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen with Rev. Eugene Murray officiating and Rev. Timothy Pick concelebrating. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen. Visitation with family present will be 4-7 p.m. on Thursday with a rosary and vigil prayer service at 5 p.m. all at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen. Services have been entrusted to Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen. www.fischfh.com

Mary was born Feb. 22, 1934 on the family farm near Struble, IA, the daughter of Edward & Mary (Curtis) Durband. She was raised at Hull, IA, and Oyens, IA. Mary graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1952.

On Aug. 25, 1953 she married Donald Gengler at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Oyens, IA. The couple lived near Le Mars, IA, where they were engaged in farming. In Feb. 1957, they moved to a farm near Remsen. Don passed away on Oct. 17, 1994.

Mary was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen since 1956, Catholic Daughters of America and Christian Mothers. She loved her Catholic faith and would share that with everyone she would meet. She spent many hours traveling to Catholic retreats and talks. Mary and Don traveled to visit EWTN; they were very proud of their visit and picture with Mother Angelica. She also traveled on a pilgrimage to Italy. She belonged to a prayer group after going to Cursillo with her husband Don, which continued with her friends for another 40 years. She was always asking for the book “Rome Sweet Home” so she could give them away.

Survivors include her 7 children, Steve (Deb) Gengler of Dakota Dunes, SD, Denny (Theresa) Gengler of Lincoln, NE, Jan (Denny) Motz of Sioux Falls, SD, Tom (Mary) Gengler of Elk Point, SD, Julie (Ed) Murphy of Benson, MN, Jim (Julie) Gengler of Sioux City, IA, Mary Ann Gengler of Sioux Falls, SD; 29 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; one brother, Tom (Fern) Durband; In-laws, Janice Durband, Daryl Gengler, Paul (Jeanette) Gengler, Ann Gengler and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed & Mary Durband; her husband Don; her siblings, Jim, Joe and Earl. In-laws, Leo and Ann Gengler, Ethel (Paul) Kosse, JoAnn (Donald) Nitzschke, Marv Gengler and Kay Gengler.