Mary Lou Koschmeder
Mary Lou Koschmeder, age 88, of Riceville died Thursday, August 18, 2016 at Riceville Family Care and Therapy Center in Riceville. Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, August 22 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Riceville.
Mary Louella (Marr) Koschmeder was born January 26, 1928 in Riceville, the oldest of eight children born to Ralph and Lila (Sullivan) Marr. She graduated from Riceville High School in 1946. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Upper Iowa University in 1971. Mary Lou married Harold E. Koschmeder at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville July 2, 1947. Most of their life was lived on the family farm two miles east of Riceville.
Mary Lou was foremost a mother to her children and grandchildren, but also a grand-special woman to many people. She was a caring, positive person who always started every relationship with “yes”. She enjoyed special times and travels with her family and friends. She loved to garden, and said her flowers “drew her closer to God”.
Mary Lou said that her biggest regret about dying was not seeing her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up. They brought her hours of joy. She will also be missed for her wonderful home cooking and baking, always strongly encouraging us to eat until we were over stuffed!
Mary Lou was a wonderful teacher, a favorite of her students. She taught in Howard and Mitchell County’s rural schools for eight years and in Riceville Community Schools for 26 years. Mary Lou was active in the Cedar Valley Retired School Personnel Association, St. Ann’s Rosary Society and St. Rita’s Study Club.
Mary Lou is survived by her four children, Gary (Diane) of Harpers Ferry, Gene (Karen) of Cresco, Kent (Maria) of Williamsburg and John (Gale) of Riceville; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews; and her sisters and brother, Hazel Boyle of Elma, Marian (Gerald) McGee of Elma and David (Tami) Marr of Floyd.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Wm. and Lila Marie Marr; her husband, Harold E. Koschmeder; two brothers, Robert (Bea) Marr and Thomas (Val) Marr; two sisters, Dorothy Ann and Mary Ann Marr (infant); and one grandchild, Amy Lynn Koschmeder.
