MaryEllen Oberender

MaryEllen Oberender, 70, of Ankeny, passed away on July 26, 2021 following many years of vascular dementia.

MaryEllen was born on August 11, 1950 to Betty Jean (Pellersels) West and Stanley John Westrom in Sac City, Iowa. After graduating from Ankeny High School, she entered the dental field spanning a 32-year career.

MaryEllen met the love of her life, Danny Oberender in 1988, and they married 3 1/2 months later. At their wedding the minister said a prayer for them that “one day they would find their church home”. God works in mysterious ways and 8 short years later they moved into an old church in Dallas Center that they made their home and The Candle Lit Way Wedding Chapel.

MaryEllen and Danny were blessed to share the beauty and history of the building with the town for more than 25 years, holding almost 2000 weddings. MaryEllen had a beautiful voice and was always happy when she could sing a verse of Amazing Grace for couples visiting the Chapel to show off the wonderful acoustics in the sanctuary.

MaryEllen was a gifted artist. Whether she was writing, creating jewelry, photography, wall sculptures, or butterfly domes, her creativity and appreciation for even the smallest detail made every piece of work unique. Her writing won her the prize for best story (Wolf Spiders) in her DMACC writing class. The jewelry she made was everything from lost wax gold creations (see Danny’s lion ring) to beaded necklaces and pendants cast from gold. Wall sculptures that she said are “What wall paper wishes it could be.” can be seen in many structures including the Chapel. Many many people have butterfly domes that MaryEllen created. First creating some in the early 1980’s and selling them in Art and Craft shows. MaryEllen and Danny restarted The Gossamer Wings Butterfly Collection in about 2008. Danny still has a dome from the 80’s and the butterflies look as good as the day she made it.

MaryEllen adored her grandchildren. She had a gift for joining them in their world and finding the magic in everyday things. She always encouraged them to be creative in whatever way inspired them whether it was music or art or dancing around the chapel. At Ghe’s house anything could happen. She gave them the gift of unconditional love and acceptance. Mary Ellen shared this gift with everyone she met.

MaryEllen was her granddaughter Emma’s fairy godmother. She gave Emma her first pair of ruby slippers and when those got too small a new pair would ‘magically” show up on the front porch. She and the girls had pet parties with their matching orange tabby cats. Ghe had Baby Jaguar, Emma Baby Stripes, and Shelby Baby Boogie Woogie. Ghe would make Baby Jaguar talk to them and tell stories. It even gave the eulogy when the family cat died.

In 2012 MaryEllen and Danny bought a store in “uptown” Dallas Center with the hopes of opening up a gift shop/art store. MaryEllen named it MISCELLANEOUS POSSIBILITIES. Quinton and Piper have wonderful memories of the paintings that they created with Ghe. Painting and other art work are talents they are still exploring today. Ghe always had Good & Plenty candy to snack on. Shelby even created her Classic White Girl series at the shop.

Christmas was MaryEllen’s favorite time of year and it brought out her inner child. Caden especially liked how Ghe and PaPaw would dress up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus for a special group picture with the grandchildren. Christmas 2019 MaryEllen even got the whole family to join her singing Amazing Grace.

Through the years MaryEllen would describe herself as an introvert but those who know her and met her know the truth. Her smile was infectious, her laugh brought joy, her kind words lifted everyone she met and the love she shared was a gift. She believed that LOVE was an action. An action that was truly not that of an introvert. MaryEllen will be missed.

MaryEllen was preceded in death by her mother and father, as well as a grandson, Seth David Hall. She is survived by her husband, Danny Oberender, son, David Hall, bonus-children Jaime (Cory) McClure, Zachary (Mitzi) Oberender, sister-in-law Debbie Oberender, daughter-in-law, Kristin Boldt, grandchildren Emma, Shelby, Caden, Quinton and Piper, sister Susan (Frank) Westrom Rotondi, and brothers Mark (Judy) Westrom, John Westrom, Christopher Westrom.

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 14, 2021 at the Candle Lit Way Chapel located at 507 Hatton Ave in Dallas Center. Visitation from 1-2pm and a service will follow. We encourage all to wear red, MaryEllen’s favorite color.

Masks will be required.

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