Mary Conrad

PATTON, Mo. -- Mary Louise Whitener Conrad of Patton passed away Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau after a valiant fight with cancer.

She was born Sept. 4, 1950, in Cape Girardeau, the daughter of Wendell (Jack) and Wilma J. Wallis Whitener. On June 22, 1969, she married her high school sweetheart, Terry Conrad.

Mary Lou grew up in Patton and graduated from the University of Missouri in 1972. She retired after being a kindergarten teacher, first-grade teacher and a Parents as Teachers at Meadow Heights for 30 years. She loved teaching but retired to spend time with her grandchildren. Mary Lou had a love for life and the people around her that was extraordinary. Mary Lou was a member of Sedgewickville United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Terry; son, Justin Conrad; son, Christopher and his wife Jessica and their children Chase David, Allie Jo and Bode; brother, John (Lois) Whitener; aunt, Mary Wallis; aunt, Doris (John) O'Bannon; the Whitener cousins; sisters-in-law, Donna (David) Allen and Debbie Poindexter; brother-in-law, Marty (Rhonda) Conrad; nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.

Pallbearers will be Justin Conrad, Chris Conrad, Will Yount, Rick Strothman, Terry Allen and Marty Conrad.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Liley Funeral Home in Patton, and from 9:30 a.m. until time of service Wednesday at the Sedgewickville United Methodist Church.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. James Richardson and Rev. Anthony Stewart officiating. Burial will follow in the Patton Cemetery.