Mary Lou Norton

Mary Lou Norton, 78, of Marshalltown died Saturday October 17th, 2009 while in the loving care of Iowa River Hospice, and with her five children at her side. A celebration of Mary Lous life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 21st at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home, with Pastors Bob Kosbau and Bobby Shomo officiating. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. She will be laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery at Tama. Memorials may be made to the family. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Mary Lou and her family, phone 641-844-1234. Born in Tama on June 20th, 1931, Mary Lou Houdyshell was the daughter of Willard and Faye (Reynolds) Houdyshell. Mary Lou attended school in Tama, graduating in 1949. On November 27th, 1949 she was united in marriage to James (Jim) Norton in Tama. The couple made their home in Marshalltown. After raising her and Jims children, Mary Lou was employed in food services at Anson School for 22 years, retiring in 2000. She was an active member of PTA, having served as president. She was a Sunday School teacher at 1st Evangelical Church in Marshalltown, had served as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts and as Girl Scout Leader. Mary Lou enjoyed gardening and cooking and was a long-time member of the Heart of Iowa Chapter of Sweet Adelines Chorus. Mary Lou was a talented and gifted woman who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Left to celebrate Mary Lous life and cherish her memory are her children: Laurie Kunkel of Newton, Nanci Ellis of Muscatine, Peggy Edel of Marshalltown, Bob Norton of Marshalltown, and Doug (Jodi) Norton of Marshalltown; her grandchildren: Jessica Sohn, Jason Matteson, Lea Bishop, Ben Matteson, Gabe Ellis, Casey Edwards, Raina Edel, Jordan, Hannah and Nathanael Norton; her 13 great-grandchildren, and one on the way; her nieces Sue Schafer and Lou Ann Pieper; as well as many friends. In death, Mary Lou has rejoined her parents, her husband Jim (2001), daughter Linda Lou (1956), sister Evelyn Schafer (2004), son-in-law Jim Edel (2003), and son-in-law Doug Kunkel (2009).