Mary A. Stallbaum, 82, of DeKalb passed away on June 7, 2025 at the DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center.

She was born on July 17, 1942 in Elgin, IL to Norton and Georgia (Smith) Blank Sr.

Mary grew up in Elgin, IL where she married Norm Stallbaum on September 12, 1959. They were married for 41 years until Norm's passing in August of 2000. Mary had various jobs throughout her life including working at St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin for 5-years in the Dietary/Hospitality Department, but her most important job was being a mom to her three children and wife to husband Norm. She cherished her family and worked tirelessly to create a loving home for them. Mary enjoyed many hobbies throughout her life including sewing, crocheting, ceramics, crafts and gardening. Mary was known for her incredible baking skills - no one could make pie crust like Mary and everyone looked forward to her famous Christmas cookies every year. Mary was a talented seamstress and as a young mom would make beautiful outfits for herself and young daughters to save money. Mary also had a talent for doing hair and would graciously accommodate her many friends and family members with a complimentary cut, color or perm of their choosing. Mary had a passion for gardening and would spend endless time tending to her yard creating stunning flower gardens until physically she just couldn't do it anymore. In her younger years, Mary was a member of the Sherman Hospital Bowling League and later took up golfing with husband Norm. They enjoyed many golf trips with friends and vacationing in Myrtle Beach. Mary attended Elgin public schools where she formed many life-long friendships. Together they shared countless memories that they would reminisce over during their frequent phone calls. Mary enjoyed getting together with "the girls" where they would spend the night laughing and enjoying Luann's wonderful cooking. Most of all, Mary listened. She was a confidant, historian, trusted advisor and guiding light to many. She was always there to listen when you needed her and would thoughtfully offer her most heart-felt advice taken from her vault of invaluable wisdom. Even though the last few years of Mary's life were emotionally and physically challenging she always "counted her blessings" and was so grateful for her many friends and family, especially her best friend of almost 70 years Penny. Mary's pride and joy were her 6 grandchildren and great-grandchild Zoey. She loved them without measure and nothing made her happier than to spend time with them.

Mary was a very special person to so many and will be greatly missed but she did not want us to be sad. Instead she wanted us to not waste a minute - to live life with joy in our hearts and a smile on our face. She wanted us to continue her legacy - to "stay in touch" and "when you get together set a place at the table for me and have a pina colada and remember the good times".

She is survived by her children, Steven (Marie) Stallbaum of Glendale, AZ, Suzanne (John Welton) Samo of DeKalb, IL and Pamela (Terry) Patrick of DeKalb, IL; her six grandchildren Michael, Valerie, Matthew, Leah, Ali and Riley; great-grandchild Zoey; and her brothers Norton Blank, Jim (Vikki) Blank and Sam (Cyndi) Blank, and many nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing home staff for their loving care during this difficult time. Also, special thanks to friends/neighbors Dan and Luann Umbach for taking such good care of Mary over the years providing her with companionship, home-cooked meals and tending to her yard.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Norm, brother Lynn and sisters Linda, Judy and Susan.

To honor Mary's wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held on September 10, 2025, at Blumen Gardens in Sycamore IL from 4-8 p.m.

Burial will be at the Genoa Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Norm. Date and time to be determined.

Memorials can be made to for the family in care of the Butala Funeral Home and Crematory of Sycamore.

Arrangements were completed by the Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL. 60178.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.butalafuneralhomes.com