Midcalf, Mary Lou

CEDAR RAPIDS - With the grace of an angel and surrounded by her loving family, Mary Lou Midcalf, 78, passed away on Friday, Oct. 8, 2010, after a seven-year battle with ovarian cancer. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Robert Landis will officiate. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

She is survived by her loving husband and dance partner in life for 57 years, Carol; daughters, Jan and Debbie (Gilbert) Peters of Dearborn, Mich.; grandchildren, Todd Peters (Danielle) of North Aurora, Ill., and Sara Peters of Irmo, S.C.; sister, Betsy Jean Garlinghouse; brother-in-law, Carl (Avis) Kimball; nieces and nephews, Dianne Baker, Mary (Dennis) Brown, Denise Krejci (Bud Gillespie), Jackie (Alan) Achenbach; Jim (Tammy) Vaverka, Paul Garlinghouse (Leann Hinker), Spencer Garlinghouse, Dale (Barb) Garlinghouse Josh and Zachary Garlinghouse, Peter (Linda) Garlinghouse, Betsy (Brett) Hoffman; special friends, Sally, Ulla, Donna Dee, Flo, Margaret, Donna Rae, Ellen, Joann, Salha, Delores, Anita, Gert, and Pauline; as well as her devoted felines, Ms. Mitzi, Charlie Ray and Morris.

Those greeting her in heaven are her parents; sister, Dorothy Vaverka; brother-in-law, Ed Garlinghouse; and stepfather, William McTavish.

Mary Lou was born Nov. 20, 1931, the daughter of Byron and Gertrude Anderson. She graduated from Franklin High School and married the love of her life in 1953. Mary Lou was a professional seamstress, retiring from Northwest Fabric after many years of service.

Above all, her warm heart and sparkling personality attracted many people to her and she held them all as a top priority in her life.

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