Mary Lou Weigel

Mary Lou Weigel, 67, of Rockford, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City, Iowa. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N Pennsylvania Ave, Mason City, with Deacon Jim Wolf officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. the night prior, on Tuesday, December 2, and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Mary Louise Weigel was born July 11, 1958 in Albert Lea, MN, the middle child of Adam and Beverly Weigel. Mary Lou was baptized and received her early education at St. Theodore's Catholic Church in Albert Lea. She attended school in Emmons, MN and later Charles City, IA, where the family relocated in her early teen years. Mary Lou worked most of her adult life in the bar and restaurant industry, and some of her fondest memories were made as the head cook at Captain Bly's in Rockford. She later worked in the lunch room at the Rockford School, a job that gave her the title of "mom" or "grandma" to half the kids in town. She enjoyed Stephen King novels, cross stitch, shooting pool, Discovery channel, Godzilla movies and anything chocolate. It was a common occurrence to find her baking chocolate chip cookies and blaring Bon Jovi music in her kitchen.

Mary Lou went by several different names in her life. Mom. Aunt LooDoo. MaraMoo. Dizzy. Wiggles. Blue. But her favorite was Grandma. She taught her grandkids a very important lesson from an early age: Never block the TV while the Minnesota Vikings are playing.

Health issues and a cancer diagnosis led her to become a resident at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City. When she arrived, the doctors thought she would not last a week. She survived over a year after being told there was nothing left to do for her. Her family credits that to her faith, stubbornness, a strong sense of humor and wonderful nurses who treated her like family. We are forever grateful.

Those left to remember Mary Lou include her daughters, Becky Walker and Pamela Weigel, both of Rockford, and Anna (Christian Gamble) Eggers of Mason City; grandchildren, Kylie and Ryan Walker, and Roman and Donte Simpkins, all of Rockford, and grand puppy Chester Michael of Mason City; brother Randy (Michelle Simmer) Weigel of Mason City; and sisters Rebecca (Gary) Jacobsma of Hayward, MN, Margaret Shindelar and Debra (Rick) Martin both of Charles City. Along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Those welcoming Mary Lou home include her parents, Adam and Beverly Weigel, brothers Lawrence and Toby Weigel, and brother-in-law Charles Shindelar.

The family invites everyone to dress comfortably. Mary Lou was a self described, "blue jeans and t-shirt kind of guy."

"A new leaf has sprouted on the tree of eternal life."