Amparo Mary Furry Obituary in Ankeny at Memorial Services of Iowa

Obituary For Amparo Mary Furry

Amparo “Mary” Furry, 80, of Ankeny, IA, passed away February 23, 2026, at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines, IA.

A celebration of life will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden in the Willow Room (909 Robert D. Ray Dr., Des Moines, IA 50309). A private burial will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel.

Mary was born April 9, 1945, in Irapuato, Mexico, to John and Trinidad Rivas. Her father’s work with Rock Island Railroad moved the family to Des Moines, IA, when she was five years old. She graduated from East High School where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Eddie Furry. They married April 17,1963, before he was deployed overseas with the Navy.

Mary retired from the government in 1999 to babysit her two young grandchildren. When they no longer needed her care, she went back to work at DMACC in registration, there she met many lifelong friends.

She enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her family and most of all her grandchildren. She was a great cook, and many holidays and birthdays were celebrated by her hosting. She enjoyed sewing, decorating and became a master gardener from her love of plants and flowers. When she took time to relax you could find her watching a Hallmark movie with a bowl of popcorn.

She is survived by husband, Edgar “Eddie” V. Furry; children, Teresa (Eric) Peterson of Ankeny, IA, and Jeffrey Furry of Ankeny, IA; grandchildren, Travis (Ashley) Peterson of Leesburg, VA, and Natalie (Mitchell) Peterson of Denver, CO; siblings, Fred Rivas, Anita Petty, Laurance Rivas, Joseph Rivas, and Victoria Rivas; pet dog, Bear; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; John and Trinidad Rivas; and sister, Rebecca Kellis.

If sending flowers, the family politely requests only fresh cut flowers be sent to service. No potted plants please.

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