Mary Lou Loerwald

Mary Lou Loerwald, 75, of Cedar Rapids, former longtime LeGrand resident, died Friday, November 13th, at St. Lukes Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 18th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home with Pastor Ron Bryan officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery north of LeGrand. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234. Born on September 6th, 1940, in Evanston, IL. she was the daughter of Joseph and Margaret (King) Gamet. With her dad in the Armed Forces, the family moved several times before graduating from high school in Cedar Falls. She later attended UNI in Cedar Falls. On August 27th, 1960, she was united in marriage to Charles Whitey Loerwald. They made their home in George, Iowa, for two years and later Dillon before moving to LeGrand where they raised their family of two daughters and two sons. Mary Lou was employed at the LDF Schools and later was one of the first blackjack dealers at the Meskwaki Casino before retiring after eleven years. Her last occupation at the casino was in human resources. Mary Lou enjoyed traveling, playing cards, knitting and crocheting, reading, watching family sporting events and treasured her family. Left to cherish her memory are her four children: Christine (William) Hockensmith of Iowa City, Catherine Ryder of Cedar Rapids, Joe (Connie) Loerwald of South Elgin, IL, and Collin (Melissa) Loerwald of Winter Garden, FL; eight grandchildren- Nicholas (Kelsey) Ryder, Sarah Ryder, Caleb Ryder, Charles Charlie Loerwald, Dylan Loerwald, Alexandria Loerwald, Logan Loerwald and Liam Loerwald; her siblings: Joanne Olshan of Tucson, AZ, John (Kay) Gamet of Ogallala, NE and Betsy (Tom) Rhomberg of Green Valley, AZ., as well as many other family and friends. In death, she rejoined her beloved Whitey and her parents.