Mary Lou Geiwitz-Meyer

Mary Lou Geiwitz Meyer, 73 of West Salem, WI. and formerly of La Crescent and Hokah MN., died peacefully at her home on October 20, 2012. She was born in La Crosse on June 11, 1939 the daughter of Arnold and Florence (Huebner) Kroack. When she was 14, the family moved to Hokah, MN, a place that became very dear to her heart. Hokah forever became her lifes credo.

Mary Lou married George Kenny Geiwitz on October 5, 1957 at St. Peters Catholic Church. They made Hokah their home for 41 years. Together they owned and operated Hokah Construction Co. and car washes in Hokah and La Crescent.

Mary Lou was a devoted member of St. Peters Parish and diligent in her support of the church and school. While she was the ultimate team player, Mary Lou preferred to stay in the background and avoided any public accolades. She had three focuses in life, her family, her church and her community.

She was a devoted mother and grandmother, an active and faithful Christian and supporter of the community. Mary Lous devotion to her family became evident shortly after her marriage. Although she was the mother of two infant children, she and Kenny voluntarily opened their home to her five siblings left homeless by the breakup of their parents marriage. Her sisters and brothers lived with them until they graduated from high school.

The philosophy of Mary Lous life was To have a friend you need to be a friend. Everywhere she went, she was surrounded by friends, drawing courage, strength, love and support from them throughout her illness.

Mary Lou particularly enjoyed being grandma Hokah. She followed the accomplishments of the grandchildren and was their staunchest fan. The graduation of Melissa from the University of Wisconsin Madison and the wedding of Jason and Brittany were highlights of her memories.

Kenny died in 1994 and Mary Lou married Fred Meyer in 1999 at St. Peters in Hokah. They lived in La Crescent until 2010 when they moved to a senior housing complex in West Salem, WI. While she lived in La Crescent, Mary Lou was an avid flower gardener and enjoyed decorating their home and yard as seasons and holidays progressed. She was especially gifted in interior decorating.

Mary Lou and Kenny were the parents of three sons and one daughter. She is survived by her husband Fred of West Salem, her daughter and best friend Linda (Mike) Hirschuber) of Hokah, son Jeffrey (Bobbi) Geiwitz of Coralville, Iowa, grandchildren Jason (Brittany) Hirschuber of Money Creek, MN, Daniel Geiwitz of La Crosse, Melissa Geiwitz of Orlando, FL., Benjamin Geiwitz of La Crosse. She is further survived by step daughter Diane Gaynor of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Step sons James Meyer of Phoenix, AZ, Richard Meyer of La Crescent, her sisters Barbara (Rich) Bain, Patricia Kirchoff, Kathy (Roger) Oseth, brothers John (Roxanne) Kroack. Jim Kroack and many other relatives and in laws. In addition to her parents and her first husband Kenny, Mary Lou was preceded in death by two sons Steven and David.

A Mass Of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, November 2, 2012 at St. Peters Catholic Church in Hokah. Rev. Pratap Reddy and Rev. Paul Breza will concelebrate the Mass. Burial will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Hokah. Friends may call on the family at the church on Friday morning from 9:30 A.M. until the time of Mass.

The family will be forever grateful to the Hospice nurses at the Mayo Health System, to Father Pratap Reddy, Father Paul Breza, to the ladies of St. Peters parish and to all who provided love and care during the last year. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be used in Mary Lous memory.

When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.