MaryBelle Crosby

April 15, 1927 - October 29, 2020

MaryBelle Crosby, 93, of Fremont, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, October 29, 2020, at her son’s home in Fremont. She was born April 15, 1927, in Oskaloosa, the daughter of Cornelius John “Neal” and Maude Blackman Coster. She rode her pony to country school in Marion County. Following elementary school, she went on to graduate from Knoxville High School with the class of 1945. She furthered her education by taking clerical training in Des Moines. She stayed in Des Moines after her training and worked in various offices. On December 30, 1947 she was united in marriage to Wilbur Boyd Crosby at the Knoxville Christian Church in Knoxville. Following their marriage, MaryBelle stayed home to help Wilbur on the farm and take care of her family and home. In 1960, they moved from their farm near Knoxville, to a farm homestead in Fremont. In the mid-70’s, MaryBelle worked for a short time at Big Smith overall factory in Oskaloosa and was a member of the Fremont Saddle Club. In the 80’s, MaryBelle worked at the Fremont Gazette addressing papers, before going to work for the Fremont Casey’s in 1989 to 2009 as a donut maker. MaryBelle was an active member of the Coal Ridge Baptist Church near Knoxville, before transferring her membership to the First Baptist Church in Fremont. MaryBelle was a talented seamstress and darned countless socks. She took great pride in mending & repairing her sons motorcycle racing clothing and sewed on countless Scout Merit badges and patches for her grandchildren. MaryBelle was an exceptional cook and baker whose homemade bread, rolls and pies were second to none. In July of 2011 she entered the Pie Baking contest at the Sweet Corn Serenade in Oskaloosa and WON 1st place with her Apple Pie. MaryBelle loved the farm, even after she and Wilbur retired from farming, MaryBelle continued to walk beans and spray Canadian thistles for her son Larry. MaryBelle was a devoted housewife, mother, and grandmother who loved to spend time with her family. She loved to go to the State Fair, Adventureland, the skating rink, motorcycle rides from her sons and countless other family activities. MaryBelle was an avid photographer and lover of music who would go to see Storm Seymour perform every chance she got. Most recently, MaryBelle picked up playing dominos. MaryBelle was a devoted child of God who was kind and caring with a heart of gold that never met a stranger and was always there to help others. MaryBelle is survived by her four children and their spouses, Boyd and Cathy Crosby of Iowa City, Larry and Mindy Crosby of Fremont, Paul and Carol Crosby of Santa Paula, California, and Susan and Jamie Leonard of Oskaloosa; a daughter in law (Michael’s widow), Merry Crosby of Des Moines; ten grandchildren, Allison (Heath) Brewer, Summer (Duane) Williams, Katie (Will) Maupin, Bradley (fiancée Nicole Drummond) Crosby, Chad Crosby, Brenda (Colton) Reinhard, Amy Cash, Bob Leonard, William Leonard, Annabelle Leonard; fifteen great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Eleanor Coster of New Sharon; and many nieces and nephews. MaryBelle was preceded in death by her husband Wilbur in 2005, her parents; three sons, infant twins James and Jack, and Michael Crosby; and a brother, John C. Coster. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in the First Baptist Church in Fremont with Reverend Robb Bruns officiating. Burial will be in the Gosport Cemetery near Knoxville. The Fremont Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. According to the rules put in place by the Iowa Department of Public Health, proper social distancing and reasonable personal protective equipment is advised for attending a religious public event. The funeral service will be live streamed at the funeral home’s YouTube Channel for those wishing to support the family from a distance. Visitation will begin Tuesday, November 10, 2020, after 12 noon in the First Baptist Church in Fremont, the family will be at the church from 4-7 Tuesday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in Fremont.