Mary Louise Blount

Mary Louise Lopata was born June 6, 1920 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa the daughter of Godfrey Vincent and Georgia Kouba Lopata. She grew up near Walker graduating from Walker High School. She attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls where she received her teaching certificate.

Mary was united in marriage to William Edward Blount on June 6, 1944 at Walker, Iowa. To this union were born four children: Kathleen, Richard, Duane and Claudia. They moved to a farm near Walker in 1947. In 1974 they bought a farm home west of Winthrop and in 1979 moved there. They moved to Independence in their retirement. They spent their winters in Las Vegas, NV, summers in Iowa and at the cabin in Canada. Bill died January 28,2009.

Mary taught school for 8 years, worked at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids and then ten years at Mental Health Institute of Independence in the Dietary Department. She also sold World Book and Amway for a time. She was a member of the Walker Bible Church, former member of the Winthrop Garden Club, and was a former 4-H leader. She loved gardening, baking (especially kolaches), geneology, auctions, antiques, sewing, traveling, and reading.

Mary entered into her eternal rest on January 29, 2014 at the home of her daughter, Kathy Reyna, at Cedar Park ,Texas.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband William, her son Richard and daughter-in-law Darlene Blount, one brother Lester Lopata, and one sister Georgia Lopata in childhood.

Survivors include her two daughters: Kathy (Ismael) Reyna of Cedar Park, Texas and Claudia Beecher of Dubuque; her son Duane (Barb) Blount of Walker; five grandchildren: Roni (Rick) Hilby, Erica (Chad) Lautner, Nicole Reyna, Mary Beecher, and Cole Beecher; five great grandchildren: Joshua Hilby, Hailey Hilby, Olivia Hilby, Ryan Hilby and Kyla Barrera.

Funeral services are set for 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at the Fawcett Funeral Home in Winthrop with Pastor Casey Reinkoester officiating. Friends may call from 4 PM until 8 PM Tuesday at Fawcett's and after 10 AM Wednesday. Private family graveside services will be held at a later date at Fairview Cemetery in Winthrop..

The Fawcett Funeral Homes and Cremation services is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be directed to the family. To send an online condolence go to www.fawcettsfuneralhome.com under obituaries.