Mary Lou Evans, 90, of Oskaloosa, passed away Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at the Oskaloosa Care Center.
Mary Lou Evans, daughter of Harold and Effie (Hols) Thomas, was born on July 24, 1934, at her childhood home in Beacon, IA. Mary Lou grew up in Beacon, IA, and completed her education as part of the 1953 Oskaloosa High School graduating class.
Mary Lou was always an ambitious woman, and she began her first job at the Rivola Theater when she was 16 years old. While working there, she was in charge of the concession stands and passing out tasty treats to the theater patrons.
Mary Lou met the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Lewis Evans, at a young age, and they were married at the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa on December 23, 1951. Dick soon joined the Air Force, and Mary Lou lived with her parents until she graduated from high school and moved to Louisiana to join her husband.
Mary Lou was a C.N.A. at the Mahaska Manor for 14 years, and her last job was at the G-71 Sand & Gravel, working in the scale house for five years.
Her passion was taking care of her family and spending quality time with them. For many years of her blessed life, she enjoyed providing childcare for her well-loved family. Watching her family grow and thrive gave Mary Lou abundant joy and peace.
For over 20 years, Mary Lou was a certified Election Official, where she could share her gifts of kindness and compassion with many people throughout the community. She worked on numerous elections at the Beacon Town Hall as well as various elections that took place in Oskaloosa.
Mary Lou kept her faith and hope in Jesus front and center throughout the heartache and loss of her beloved sons and many family members. She was a past member of the Beacon United Methodist but was currently attending the Two Timbers Church of Christ in Oskaloosa.
Mary Lou’s family includes her daughter: Cathy Jo Evans of Beacon, her son: Richard “Dickie” Lewis Jr. (Lisa) Evans of Oskaloosa, daughter-in-law: Val Evans; ten grandchildren: Benji, Jeremy, & Michael Evans; Angela Fenton, Crystal Sieren (Danny VanPatten), Josh (Amanda) Gordon, Chelsea (Alex) Doak, Cori (Josh Ver Steegh) Evans, Bobbi Jo (Andy) Nichols, Jake (Stephanie) Evans; and 15 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Sadie (Kenny) Kennedy of Oskaloosa, two brothers, Tom Thomas of Ottumwa and David (Marilyn) Thomas of Oskaloosa, and two sisters-in-law, Diane Thomas of Beacon and Vickie Thomas of What Cheer, two “adopted” daughters, Rhonda Hicks and Cathy Walker, and many nieces and nephews.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Evans; her two sons: Rick and Mike Evans; her parents; two sisters: Maxine Brown and JoAnn Miller; three brothers: Dick, Frank, and Jerry Thomas; and a special friend, Ronnie Morrow.
Mary Lou’s funeral service will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at the Langkamp Funeral Chapel, with Cor Vermeulen officiating. Burial will follow at the Beacon Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 23, 2025, with the family present from 4-6 p.m. to greet relatives and friends.
Memorials may be made out to the Two Timbers Church of Christ.
