Mary Lou Fleener

Mary Lou Fleener

Mary Lou Fleener
January 8, 1930 – March 13, 2015
Des Moines (Newton & Oskaloosa), Iowa | Age 85

Des Moines. Mary Lou Fleener, 85, of Des Moines and formerly of Newton and Oskaloosa, died Friday, March 13, 2015 at Valley View Village in Des Moines. She was born January 8, 1930, in Des Moines, Iowa the daughter of Paul and Ruth McElvogue Laird.

Early on Mary Lou worked as an operator for the telephone company and as a nurse’s aide. She was united in marriage to James Williams, he later died. On May 5, 1970, she was united in marriage to Jerry D. Fleener at Unionville, Missouri. Jerry died June 14, 2006.

Mary Lou worked for the Oskaloosa Community School District and later at the Mahaska Hospital. She and Jerry moved to Des Moines where she worked at Iowa Lutheran Hospital. She retired from there in 1993, and she and Jerry moved back to Oskaloosa. For the past several years Mary Lou has lived in Des Moines to be near her daughter.

Her family includes her daughter, Theresa Goldizen of Des Moines; two grandchildren: Christopher (& fiancée Lisa Knapp) McLaughlin and Bethany (& Chris Lobbrecht) Waller; three great grandchildren, Noah Waller, Adam McLaughlin and Katelyn Duit.

Besides her two husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Melissa Joy Quinn; and a brother, Paul Laird.

Visitation with the family present will be held Monday, March 16, 2015, in the Bates Funeral Chapel from 5-7 p.m.
As was Mary Lou’s wish, her body will be cremated following the visitation.
A private family graveside memorial service and burial will be held at a later date in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Unity Point Hospice in Des Moines.