Mary Lou Noneman,88, passed into eternal life on Feb. 25, 2023, at Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine. She was born at home in Bryan, Ohio on Dec. 19, 1934, to Ralph ‘Wig’ and Viola (Moore) Stroeh. She enjoyed having pet horses as a child. Mary Lou attended Bryan High School, where she liked playing volleyball and being able to “Spike the ball” due to her height. After high school, Mary Lou lived in Bryan and worked at the local bank until meeting her husband to be.
Mary Lou first saw Jim at a square dance in 1953 at Mason’s beach. Upon seeing Jim, she told her friend Rita: “That’s the man I’m going to marry”. On Dec. 27, 1954, Mary Lou Stroeh married James Arthur Noneman at the Devine Mercy Catholic Parish in Paulding, Ohio. Afterwards, they boarded a train to Chicago where they spent the night, then continued on to Colorado by train. They began their new life together on a crystal-clear day with the mountains visible in the distance. Their old 1948 Ford wouldn’t run at first, because it was 20 below zero when they arrived but eventually they got it started and headed to Fort Collins, to their first home and where Jim was attending Colorado State College. While living in Colorado, their first child, Gary, was born. After another move to Ohio for a year, they moved west again to Springview, Neb. and added daughter, Kim, to the family. While in Springview, Mary Lou met and became life-long friends with Delores and Avery Mullin and their family. She also went to work for Avery at the Springview Herald. In 1966, the Noneman family moved again to Logan, where they have resided ever since.
Mary Lou worked for the Logan Herald Observer for many years setting type (at over 100 words per minute) and putting together the local newspaper. She later worked at the Woodbine Twiner, until her retirement. Mary Lou was a member of the Logan United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women and she sang in the church choir. When the church would put on their annual Thanksgiving dinner, she was a proud member of the potato crew. Mary Lou manned the checkout for many church rummage sales and surprised everyone with how fast she could add up totals in her head and hand off items for Kim to bag, all the while winging empty hangers over her shoulder into a box. Mary Lou was a member of the Logan Pierian Club (for over 50 years) and a member of card club. Mary Lou loved bowling and was very good at it. She was on the Lucky Strikes bowling team as well as a couple’s league with Jim at the Tamarack in Missouri Valley. They bowled for a time with friends, Mickey and Henry Matthews, and she treasured their friendship and loved to hear Henry sing “How Great Thou Art” in church. Mary Lou also enjoyed the occasions when she was able to bowl with her brother, Herman.
Mary Lou loved listening to Elvis Presley’s music and watching his concerts and movies on television. She enjoyed the Budweiser Clydesdale horses, playing Yahtzee and Bingo, driving her car, going to auctions, visiting campgrounds where Kim and Scott were camping and having garage sales with Kim. Mary Lou enjoyed going fishing with Jim and attending his trapping events. Jim even surprised Mary Lou with vacations to Alaska and Hawaii. She enjoyed knitting afghans, 4th of July fireworks, strawberry shakes and purses. At Christmas, there was her lighted Christmas village, decorating cookies, party mix, pecan pie and all those Christmas goodie plates.
Mary Lou liked the fact that she shared a birthdate with her granddaughter, Lauren. When babysitting, she enjoyed taking Jason and Lauren to Desoto Bend. But most of all, she just really enjoyed spending time with her family, special friends and their neighbors, Ken and Brenda Ellsworth. Whether in Keokuk or Logan, Mary Lou and Jim were able to attend all eight grandchildren’s high school graduations.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Wilbur ‘Herman’ Stroeh; and grandson, Christopher Noneman. She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Jim; children, Gary (Janice) Noneman and Kimberly (Scott) Fisher; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and extended family and friends. Her family will miss her more than words can say.
A funeral service was held on Monday, March 6, 2023, at the Logan United Methodist Church. Pastor Nikki Ahart presided over the service and the musician was Rick Powell. Mary Lou’s final resting place is at the Harris Grove Cemetery, rural Logan.
Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
