Mary Lou Hadley

Mary Lou Hadley, 98, of Charles City, IA., passed away on Aug. 31, 2023 in Fort Smith, AR., surrounded by family.

Mary Lou was born in Greene, IA. Feb. 10, 1925, the daughter of Clyde Hardman Wegand and Edna May (Lockwood) Wegand. After graduating as valedictorian from Greene High School, Mary Lou attended Iowa State Teachers College (University of Northern Iowa), where she received her education degree, and met her future husband, Keith Hadley. They were married on June 6, 1948 in Greene, IA. Mary Lou and Keith were teachers and coaches in Pocahontas, and Ellsworth, IA. prior to moving to Charles City, where Mary Lou taught in Colwell. Mary Lou was a substitute teacher for the Charles City School systems, served on the Charles City School Board, was an active member of the First Congregational Church for over 50 years, was a member of Chapter JQ PEO, Charles City Arts Council, and the 19th Amendment Society.

Mary Lou was a very devoted wife and Mother, raising five children with a very strong mind, body, spirit and Faith. She valued family above all else and loved spending time with her five children and spouses, 17 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren. Mary Lou loved gardening, cooking, baking, golfing, fishing, knitting, playing piano, and bridge.

Mary Lou is survived by her five children; daughter Jane(Jerry) Maland of Harrison Ariz., their four children, Justin (Sarah) Maland, Jenny (Ryan) Wallace, Jeff (Traci) Maland, Jessica (Justin) McCutcheon; son Jim (Peggy) Hadley of Fort Smith Ariz., their four children, Michael (Michelle) Hadley, Sarah (David) Harper, Katie (Sam) Rivkin, Tommy (Hanna Lovins) Hadley, Laura (Ben) Buergler; daughter Julie (Mike) Gatens of Iowa City, Iowa, their three children, Nicole Gatens, Matt (Erin) Gatens, Megan (Brandon) Morris; daughter Janet (Dave) Ralston of Scottsdale, Ariz. and their two children, Eric (Heather) Ralston and Emmy Ralston; son John (Jayne) Hadley of Sallisaw, Okla., their three children, Annie Hadley, Molly (Dalton) da Silva and David (Katie) Hadley.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband; Keith Hadley, sisters; Nadine Schrage and Barb McKay and brother Max Wegand.

Memorial service will be at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church, 116 North 12th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas. (Services entrusted to Edwards Funeral Home.)

Memorial service burial will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 at Riverside Cemetery, 59 Riverside, Charles City, Iowa. To place online condolences visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Riverside Cemetery Foundation, PO Box 741, Charles City, IA, The Comet Foundation, One Comet Drive, Charles City, IA, Ronald McDonald House Charities, RMHC, 1333 Arapaho Ave Suite C, Springdale, AR, 72764, www.rmhc.org., or charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.