Mary Lou Anderson

Mary Lou Anderson, 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at
Valley Vista Good Samaritan.

 She was born on February 26, 1935, on her family’s farm near Belvue, Kansas, the youngest daughter of Aloysuis George Riat and Gertrude Josephine (Hesse)Riat.  She attended grade school in Belvue and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1953.

After High School she attended Sisters of Charity School of Nursing of Kansas City, Kansas and obtained her Registered Nurse’s License. She started her career as a nurse at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka and later worked at Valley Vista. She loved caring for others. Mary Lou worked at the Wamego Public Library for 17 years, and she enjoyed talking with many different people in the community.

Mary Lou married Charles “Herb” Anderson on February 3rd, 1962, at St. Mary’s, KS. He preceded her in death on April 28, 2006. They had a happy marriage and enjoyed traveling together and playing games of pitch around the kitchen table with friends.

Mary Lou loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She was devoted in her faith as a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church. She enjoyed gardening, cooking for her family, being outdoors, spending time with her family and friends and loved her grand-dog T-Bone!

She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Kenny Riat, James
“Jimmy” Riat (Arvella), Raymond Riat (Audrey), and one sister, Betty Riat. Brother-in-law, Dave Davidson. Twin Grandsons, Thomas and Tyler Anderson. Great grandsons, Patrick and James Wisdom, Jayson Ebert. 

She is survived by her sister Helen Davidson (Riat), sister-in-law Phyllis, her only son,
Roger Anderson and his wife Susan, Wamego; Granddaughters, Lauren Ubel (Anderson) and her husband Caleb, Wamego; Jean (Thad) Carley, Jenni (Jim) Ebert, Jill (Eric) Wisdom; great grandchildren, Jake (Paige) Eichem, Jordan (Josh) Nider, Morgan (Kody) Jackson, Justin Ebert, Bailey Wisdom, Logan Carley, Jessi Ebert, Alex Wisdom, Ethan Wisdom; great-great grandchildren, Kasyn Ebert, Sutton Eichem, Jamie Nider, Harper Jackson, Jude Nider, Hallie Jackson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am, Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Wamego.  A rosary will be held prior to Mass at 10:00 am.  Mary Lou will lie-in-state, on Tuesday, at Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home, from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm.  The family suggests memorial contributions to the Wamego Public Library, and those may be sent in care of the funeral home.  Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com.