Mary Lou Schlenker
Mary Lou Schlenker, 96, of Anna, went home to be with her Lord and Savior at 7:35 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at Hillview Nursing Home in Vienna, surrounded by her family.
She was born on Aug. 16, 1928, in Harrisburg, the daughter of Harry and Mamie Bond Libby.
She married Wardell Schlenker in Piggott, Ark., on Dec. 26, 1947. He preceded her in death on Dec. 7, 2008.
Mary Lou was committed to her faith and family her entire life. As a young family, they became active in Baptist church missions. She was a member of the Anna Heights Baptist Church and was a Sunday School teacher for many years. She loved working with the youth group in the church and was committed to sharing the gospel.
Mary Lou worked at the Anna Shoe Factory until the kids came along. She then worked alongside her loving husband on the farm and cared for her family. Later she worked at Anna Wal-Mart in the jewelry department.
When she wasn’t busy working, you could often find her in the garden tending her flowers and vegetables for canning.
She was known for her fabulous cooking and hosted many guests from church, farm and community.
Mary Lou enjoyed quilting and made many quilts for all generations of kids, grandchildren, and church families.
Mary Lou had a great sense of humor and loved to play games. She often put together puzzles with her grandchildren and especially enjoyed playing Scrabble. She often created games to play with family and friends. Mary Lou loved poetry and has written many pieces of work.
She is survived by her son, David Schlenker of Anna; six granddaughters, Jennifer Schlenker Bratton, of Nashville, Tenn., Kim (Scott) Swain of Carbondale, Christy (Jason) Woolard of Carterville, Rebecca Schlenker (Marc) Korb of Jonesboro, Wendy (Eric) Heath of Buncombe, Rachel Schlenker Frazier of Lick Creek and Darren Frazier of Anna; 15 great-grandchildren, Christopher Mowery (fiancé, Kelsea Inman), Shay (Joe) Wuerffel, Karley (John) Hanne, Courtney Woolard, Hannah (Jason) Drew, Emma Bratton, Sydney Heath (fiancé Kyle Worley), Ashley Woolard, Bennett Bratton, Cole Swain, Malayna and Dakota Korb, Anthony, Rylan and Ava Frazier; five great-great-grandchildren, Lucy, Lydia, Charli, Evelyn and Kellie; a brother, Logan Libby of Metropolis, her only living sibling whom she loved very much.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Linda Arnold; a son, Daniel “Danny” Schlenker; sisters Mildred, Geneva, Ruth and Geraldine; a brother, Clifford; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services for Mary Lou Schlenker were at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, with the Rev. Darryl Williams officiating. Interment followed in the Anna Cemetery.
To visit Mary Lou’s memorial page and to leave online condolences for her family, visit the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home website at rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna was in charge of arrangements.