Mary Lou Mohlenbrink

Mary Lou Mohlenbrink was born February 19th, 1930 in Rock Island, Illinois. She passed away February 12, 2015 from natural causes. She was one week away from being 85 years old. Mary was a beautiful lady that was full of life. She loved to surround herself by her family and friends. She dedicated herself to her children. Mary had 7 kids. Mary was 1 of three children. She had an older sister Betty Oleary, and a younger brother Jimmy Laedeke. Mary told many stories of her Daddy, who was a card player, typewriter repairman, pool player, and guitarist. She liked to tell stories about her brother, who was a boxer that would beat bullies up. Grandma loved her life. Her family traveled with the carnival. The kids played and entertained people while their parents worked. Grandma loved to tap dance, and people would pay her to entertain them. Later, while living in California she meant the love of her life, Louis Mohlenbrink. He was also a card player, pool player, and a typewriter repairman. They instantly fell in love and had a daughter, Carol. They then followed grandma's parents to Alaska, where Patricia, and Alice were born. Later, the two, once again went to California to be with Mary's family, and they had a girl, Julie. It wasn't long before they ventured to Idaho, where her husband, Louis Mohlenbrink's family was from. It was here, where three more kids were born, David, Lisa and Mark. The two couple struggled to raise the 7 kids. Grandma sewed clothes, washed them in buckets of water, and made them walk 10 miles to school with cardboard boxes sewed on the soles of their shoes!! (Poor kids) The two did the best they could. They went to the Lutheran school. Grandpa did construction, played pool, cards, and repaired typewriters to make a living. Grandma dedicated her time to the kids. Later, she went to work at the Alley as a cook, and then to the Holliday Inn, where she worked for 26 years as a waitress. Once Grandma went to work, Grandpa Louis retired, and she became the breadwinner. The two were avid hunters and fishermen. They also loved to metal detect. They admired the mountains. Grandma also loved to cook and be with her kids. If there was a party she was there!! She loved to hang out with them, and be a kid herself. Even in the end, when her knees were shot, nothing could stop her. She would still go hunting, even if it meant rolling down the hills. She was afraid of dying, not because she wouldn't go to heaven, but because she didn't want to miss out on anything!! She was afraid she would miss a family party or hunting, fishing trip. We will miss you Grandma & Mom. Grandma did not go down without a fight, even when the odds were against her; she kept living!! She was followed by the death of her parents, sister Betty Oleary, husband, Louis Mohlenbrink, brother Jimmy Laedeke, and daughter Patricia Costa. She is survived by her daughter Carol & husband Gary Olshefski of California, her daughter, Alice Charlesworth & husband Larry Charlesworth of Rupert, Julie Nichols (daughter) & husband John Nichols, and son David & Babs Mohlenbrink of Rupert, daughter, Lisa Rynestad of Rupert, and son Mark & Brandie Mohlenbrink of Filer, Idaho. She also has several grandchildren and great children who she will miss dearly. A Celebration of Mary's Life will be held on her birthday, February19th at the Peace Lutheran Church in Filer, Idaho at 11 AM. Services will be under the direction of Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home. Inurnment will follow at the Filer Cemetery.