Mary Grace Cornwell died in the loving care of the nursing staff and Dr. Shaun Thompson at Valley View Villa on May 24, 2023 with family by her side. A special thanks, also, to The Harmony Home staff who cared for Mary prior to her moving to Valley View Villa.
Mary was born in Mt. Leonard, Missouri on March 23, 1933 to parents Llewelyn Geisendorfer and Marguerite Dingley. Mary moved to Denver as a baby and graduated from Alameda High School in 1951. Mary spent time in Granby at the family farm, moved to Fort Morgan in 1967, and spent the remainder of her life there. Mary was married to Edward Cornwell 1/17/1951 and told no one, as she wasn't 18. She was chosen as Prom Queen after that (as a married woman) and no one knew. Her brother Bob found out later and told their parents. Together, Edward and Mary had four children—David, Susan, Mark, and Joyce. Mary's work history included working with an Insurance Company, Time-Life Magazine, Neo Data (a magazine subscription company), and The Fort Morgan Times off and on for several years in many departments (including typesetting, advertising, and as Society Editor). She only applied for a job there once, and The Fort Morgan Times called her to come back several times. Mary also did the bookkeeping for a family business for many years. Her hobbies included art, crossword puzzles, reading, and collections. Mary would often say, "if I have more than 2 things, I consider it a collection". Trivia and bingo became favorite activities at Valley View Villa and the staff said Mary was "sharp as a tack". Mary's faith in God was important to her and her daily Bible reading a comfort in her final years.
Mary especially loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and remembered every holiday for them. She was always kind to the less fortunate. One example is when, as a child, Mary gave her only doll—a Shirley Temple doll—to a little girl she felt sorry for who lived in a house with a dirt floor.
Mary's legacy was the special time she spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Grandchildren were able to make mud pies on the back porch and forts in her house. She loved listening to them and talking with them, attending all their activities, and helping with transport when their parents were working. In her later life her great-grandchildren were a delight to her. Her family was fortunate to share Mary's 90th birthday with her this year.
Mary is survived by her former husband, Edward Cornwell, her three children and spouses: David and Anita Cornwell, Susan and David Trickett, Scott and Joyce Kembel; eight grandchildren—Tia Ziegler (Todd), Joshua Barnett, Melissa Beato, Aaron Kallhoff (Josie), Chad Kembel (Nicole), Cassie Meeks (Nick), Corey Kembel, Cole Kembel (Shenae), and 16 great-grandchildren. Also left behind is her dear sister-in-law, Gloria Geisendorfer. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Robert and Paul Geisendorfer, her son Mark Cornwell, her granddaughter Andrea Kallhoff, and her granddaughter Tara Cornwell.

A Memorial Service will be held at Heer Mortuary in Fort Morgan, Friday, June 9, 2023 at 11:00 AM. The memorial service will be live-streamed at One Room (oneroomstreaming.com)

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Valley View Villa, A Caring Pregnancy Resource Center or a charity of your choice