AWTRY, Mary Lou 1934-2005

AWTRY, LEATHERS, KNOWLER, VAN CLEAVE, BLACK, HAWORTH, CARL, BRIDGES, ROBERTSON, SALNAVE

Posted By: Mary F (email)
Date: 11/21/2013 at 10:27:01

Mary Lou Awtry, 71, of Lake Ponderosa, Montezuma, and formerly of Sigourney, died Dec. 20 at her home. Services on Friday, Dec. 23 at Harden Funeral Chapel in What Cheer with Rev. George Salnave officiating. Interment will follow at the Garrett Cemetery near Delta.

Mary was born Aug. 3, 1934 in rural Delta, the daughter of Marvin and Susie Ellen Leathers Knowler. She attended country schools in Keokuk County and later was graduated from Rose Hill High School in 1952. Mary was united in marriage to Melvin Van Cleave in 1956 in Oskaloosa. They were later divorced. In 1968 she married Donald Awtry in Lancaster, Mo.

Mary spent her life caring for her family. She managed the Casey's General Store in Sigourney for many years and retired in 1998. Following retirement she moved to Lake Ponderosa near Montezuma.

Mary's interests included gardening, crafts, leisure rides in the pontoon and spending time with family and friends. She also enjoyed sporting events of her grandchildren and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Mary was a member of the First Christian Church of Sigourney and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Oskaloosa.

Mary's memory is honored by her two daughters, Jackie Black and husband, Gary and Janice Haworth and husband, Ron; a son, James Awtry and wife Maureen; a brother, Harold Knowler; three sisters, Ione Carl, Edith Bridges and husband Ed, and Linda Robertson; seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Her parents, three brothers, Floyd, Marvin and Jack Knowler preceded Mary in death.

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