Mary Ann Sechovec

Mary Ann Sechovec, 94, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2026, at Ramsey Village in Des Moines, Iowa.

Mary Ann was born on January 19, 1932, in Dodge, Nebraska, to Joseph and Bozena (Kmoch) Sechovec. She grew up in Nebraska and later made her home in Lincoln, where she married LeRoy C. Hetherington in 1952.

Mary Ann was a hardworking and dedicated woman throughout her life. While living in Lincoln, she worked wiring switchboards before becoming the manager of a local bakery. In 1970, she and her family moved to Windsor Heights, Iowa, where she began working for General United Insurance Company. When the company's West Des Moines office closed in 1979, she continued her career with Iowa Bankers Insurance & Services. Never one to stop caring for others, Mary Ann earned her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification in 1984–1985. Although she retired from Iowa Bankers in 1998, her desire to help others led her to continue working as a nursing assistant until her full retirement in 2006.

Mary Ann found joy in life's simple pleasures. She loved tending to her garden and spending time in her flower beds. She was an exceptional cook and baker, and every holiday she looked forward to making cookies, traditional Czech Christmas breads, and homemade horseradish to share with family, friends, and neighbors. She had a generous heart and a remarkable sense of grace in every situation.

Family was the center of Mary Ann's life. She loved unconditionally, gave generously, and found her greatest happiness in her family. Her gentle spirit, quiet strength, and unwavering love will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

She is lovingly survived by her daughter, Ann Marie Sechovec; her grandchildren, Mari Ann Hetherington and Erich Schmitz; her great grandchildren, Joseph Keding and Nevaeh Jackson; and her youngest sister, JoAnn Kersten, the last surviving of her siblings.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Bozena (Kmoch) Sechovec; her sisters, Georgia Nimic and Angela Gothburg; and her former husband, LeRoy C. Hetherington, in 2006.

A Celebration of Mary Ann's Life will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Merle Hay Funeral Home Chapel, 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, Iowa.

Mary Ann's life was defined by kindness, humility, and an unwavering love for her family. She had a way of making everyone feel welcome, whether with a warm smile, a cup of coffee, or something homemade from her kitchen. Her legacy of compassion, generosity, and quiet grace will continue to live on in the hearts of those who loved her.