Mary Ellen Charest

Mary Ellen Charest, 85, of Clear Lake, Iowa died Monday, Jan. 25, 2016 at Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake, Iowa.

A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Friday Jan. 29, 2016 at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Ed Bard officiating.  Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

The family suggests memorials to Hospice of North Iowa.

Mary was born Oct. 26, 1930, the daughter of Robert and Linnie Peal (White) Back, in Oswego, Kan.  She lived in Kansas until her senior year in high school and then moved to Waterloo, Iowa where she graduated from East High School.

Mary worked at Caeser’s Palace for five and one-half years and in the Casino industry for 10 years, retiring in 1992.

Mary enjoyed doing crafts, flower gardening, crocheting and quilting.

Mary is survived by one daughter, Rebecca Ripley, Sac City, Iowa; a son Anthony E. (Judith) Buck, Davenport, Iowa;  son–in-law Duane Schlichting, Clear Lake, Iowa; two sisters, Alice (Mike) Peyton, Waterloo, Maudie Ann (Larry) Syhlman, New Alban, Iowa; two brothers, Charles (Bonnie) Back, Waterloo, Iowa, Jimmy Dale Back, Evansdale, Iowa; five grandchildren Tara Schlichting, Teresa (Matt) Baumann, Casey (Teresa) Schlichting, Chad (Jamie) Ripley and Brandy (Shaun Hansen) Ripley and nine great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Linnie Back; four brothers Dorsey, Lester, Ray and Robert Back; three sisters, Nona Belle Back, Della Capps, and May Murray; her daughter, Roberta Schlichting; and great grandson John Baumann.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake,was in charge of services. ColonialChapels.com.