LAWLIS, Mary Anne (SMITH)

LAWLIS, SMITH, SCHULZ, HILBERT, MONKARSH, CAIN, MUEHE

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 12/10/2013 at 08:42:51

Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
May, 2008

Obituary - Mary Anne (Smith) Lawlis
May 18, 1928 ~ May 10, 2008

Mary Anne Smith Lawlis, age 79 years. Mary Anne surrendered peacefully to her battle with cancer and was born into eternal life on May 10, 2008.

She is the devoted mother of Joanne (Mike) Schulz, Trish (Mike) Hilbert, Michael Lawlis, John (Carol) Lawlis, and Sheila (Rick) Monkarsh. Proud and loving grandmother of Colleen and Brenden Schulz; Erin, Kaley, Will and Bridget Hilbert; Meghan, Morgan, Brian and Mary Lawlis; Shea, Jack, Kirby, Delaney, Mason, Molly, Thomas and Tess Lawlis; Jacob, Kendall and William Monkarsh.

She is survived by her sister Patricia Cain, her great aunt Ella Muehe, several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Kirby, her parents Leo F. and M. Bernadette Smith, and five brothers.

Mary Anne was born in a log home in Worth County, Iowa on May 18, 1928, and grew up on her parent's farm in Mason City. She attended Holy Family High School and graduated from Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa in 1949, majoring in English. After college, Mary Anne taught secondary school in Joyce, Iowa and Denver, Colorado. She enjoyed a memorable trip through Europe with several girlfriends in the fall of 1954. It was in that same year that she was introduced to the love of her life and she and Kirby were married in August, 1955.

They lived in Mason City until 1970 when a business opportunity brought them to Wisconsin. They raised their children in Mequon where Mary Anne was active in her parish, St James Catholic Church (Lumen Christi). Mary Anne was a dedicated and loving wife and mother. She created a warm and faith filled home where friends were always welcome and laughter could often be heard. She never lost her love for adventure as she and Kirby traveled the world over with relatives and friends, both for business and pleasure.

Mary Anne was unwavering in her faith throughout her entire life and through this faith she was able to obtain great strength and comfort as she faced many of life's challenges, especially these last few months. Mary Anne was extremely generous not only with her family but with many, many organizations. Her children and grandchildren will forever remember her sparkling blue, Irish eyes, her beautiful smile and her love of a good laugh.

[Interment Resurrection Cemetery & Mausoleum, Mequon, Wisconsin.]

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2013