Mary (Dresser) Wallin

Thousand Oaks, CA – Mary Wallin passed away on November 15, 2021 in Thousand Oaks, California at the age of 86 years, after several years of declining health. Mary Elinor Dresser was born in Postville, Iowa on May 2, 1935 to Lawrence E. and Felicia G. (Palmer) Dresser. She was raised on the family farm just west of Postville and attended the Postville Schools, graduating in 1953. Following her high school graduation, she attended Iowa State College from 1953 to 1957, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in the field of dietetics. She later obtained a Master’s degree in the same field of study from California State University – Northridge in 1972.

Mary married Wayne E. Wallin of Laurens, Iowa on September 2, 1955, and to this union two daughters were born, Diana Marie and Wanda Gail. Following graduation from ISC, Mary and Wayne moved to Southern California in the summer of 1956 where Wayne was employed as an engineer at North American Rocketdyne in Canoga Park, California. The family lived in several locations in the San Fernando Valley area northwest of Los Angeles, eventually relocating to nearby Thousand Oaks in 1964, where the daughters grew up.

Soon after moving to California, Mary secured employment as a dietician and worked in that capacity for several institutions and hospitals in the NW Los Angeles area, for some 20 years. Later, she worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Thousand Oaks, until retirement.

Mary had a strong interest in music stemming from her childhood days, especially in playing the piano and pipe organ. She also played instruments such as the flute and oboe in instrumental groups. She was active in several musical organizations during the years, as well. Mary was also quite active in local politics in Southern California. She was generous in other talents as well: In recent years, she cut out, sewed together and donated patch quilts and crocheted hats, gloves, and scarves for the active military, as a member of a local charitable retired group.

Mary was preceded in death by her older daughter, Diana in September 2018, as well as by her parents and grandparents. Mary is survived by her daughter Wanda G. Wallin of Thousand Oaks; by her brother John Dresser of Marshalltown, Iowa; by her sister Eunice Turner of Postville, Iowa; by her nieces: Barbara (Randy) Suckow of St. Michael, Minnesota, Julie Holiday and Susan Turner of Grimes, Iowa, and Anita (David) Nesheim of Altoona, Iowa; by her nephew Steven Turner of Postville, Iowa; and by numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

A joint Celebration of Life service is planned in California in January for Mary and her recently-deceased daughter, Diana Marie Wallin. This service is scheduled for January 29, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the Alamo Restaurant, 2311 Borchard Road, Newbury Park, CA 91320. Condolences may be sent to Ms. Wanda Wallin, 1800 Aleppo Ct., Thousand Oaks, California 91362.