Mary Lou Stahl, 85, of Doland, SD died July 21, 2011, at her home in Doland.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, July 25, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Doland. Fr. John Short and Deacon Gordon Richard will celebrate the mass.

Burial will be in St. Martin's Cemetery in Huron.

Visitation will be Sunday, July 24, 2011, from 4-7:00 p.m. with a scriptural wake service & rosary at 5:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home. (www.thelenfuneralhome.com)

After being diagnosed with cancer, her last two months were spent with her children and grandchildren caring for her. She felt very blessed to have those most dear to her so close during her final days.

Mary Lou Heer was born December 8, 1925, to Albinus and Mary (Wehland) Heer in rural Doland. She grew up and attended school in the Doland area.

She married John Stahl on October 30, 1946, and they made their home in Doland. For the next twenty years she was a house wife and had five children. After her husband's death, she went to work at the local hotel and restaurant and at the local paper. Her last seven years of working were at the State School in Redfield.
She felt very fortunate over the years to have several good friends from Margaret Hiles to JoAnn Huber. She often told her children and grandchildren that God put some angels to walk among us here on earth. Those blessings and friends she held dear to her heart. Her deep faith in God was expressed in her lifelong membership with St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Doland. From her arrival for her baptism in a horse drawn sleigh on December 25, 1925, to her wedding day, the baptisms of her children, and now at the end of her life, she was so proud to have been a member in the same parish for her entire life.

Mary Lou is survived by her four children: Norman (Mary) Stahl of Watertown, SD, Eileen (Doug) Lake of Pierre, SD, Marcella (Gary) Gray of Rapid City, SD and Myron (DeDe) Stahl of Doland, SD; sixteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband, John in 1966 and her son Francis in 1995.

At Mary Lou's request, memorials may be designated to E.W.T.N and Mother Angelica's work.