Smith, Mary Lou

Mary Lou Smith, 69, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, surrounded by her loving family after a 12-year battle with scleroderma. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Cedar Hills Community Church. The service will be conducted by Pastor Kent Landhuis. Visitation will begin after 10 a.m. Friday at the church. Private inurnment will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel.

Surviving are her husband, Jerry Smith of Cedar Rapids; her dog, Sadie; two children, Doug Smith of Cedar Rapids, and Kathy (Robert) Ebeling of Marion; and grandchildren, Megan, Spencer and Tanner Smith and Michael Ebeling.

Also surviving are her sister, Nancy (Dennis) Brasel of Muskogee, Okla.; and brother, Richard (Lois) Belvel of Biloxi, Miss.

She was preceded in death by her son, Jeffery Smith; and her parents, Norma and Bill Belvel.

Mary Lou was born May 23, 1940, in Ottumwa, where she was raised. She was united in marriage to Jerry Smith on April 4, 1958, in Lancaster, Mo. She and her husband moved to Cedar Rapids in 2001, to be near their two children and their families. Mary Lou enjoyed volunteering at Milestones and various nursing homes, playing bridge, Mah Jongg, golfing with friends and being surrounded by her family.

Mary Lou was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Scleroderma Foundation or to Cedar Hills Community Church in Mary Lou's honor.

The family extends their appreciation to all of the caring doctors and nurses at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and St. Luke's Hospital for their tender care and guidance in this time of transition.

Please leave a message, tribute or memory to Mary Lou's family on the webpage under Obituaries.