Mary Lou Bohnker

Mary Lou Webster was born on Feb. 12, 1927, the daughter of John and Hope Webster of Minburn, Iowa. She died on Thursday, November 3rd at the Manilla Manor, in Manilla, IA at the age of 89 years, 9 months.
Mary Lou was born on a farm near Minburn, IA. She was baptized into the Methodist Church of Minburn. Her faith would be a guiding principle throughout her life. Mary Lou loved growing up on a farm with her twin brother Miles and older brothers Vince and Bobby. Some of her favorite memories were running an ice cream stand near her home and raising Saint Bernard puppies. Mary Lou graduated from high school in Adel, Iowa in 1944. Even though it was unusual for a young woman at that time, Mary Lou went on to Iowa State College and graduated in 1948 with a degree in Home Economics. Upon graduation, Mary Lou was employed by the Crawford County Extension service in Denison, IA.
Mary Lou met and soon married Robert F. (Bob) Bohnker on July 29th, 1949, a marriage that would last almost 60 years. The couple met at a 4-H event, which was significant as 4-H, faith and farming were important parts of their lives for years to come. The couple was blessed with six children. After their marriage, the couple rented farms near Ricketts and then Charter Oak. In 1961, they purchased a farm south of Charter Oak. They moved to this farm in December of 1964, where they raised their family. In 1986 Mary Lou and Bob retired from farming and moved to Denison, IA.
For many years, Mary Lou was a leader in the Friendly Willows and Merry Maidens 4-H clubs. The Charter Oak Achievement Days and then the Crawford County Fair were always the highlights of her summer. Mary Lou was active in the United Methodist Church of Charter Oak and had many leadership roles. Mary Lou was active in the Farm Bureau Women, Methodist Women, and the local Chit Chat Club. Mary Lou enjoyed homemaking for her family. After retirement, Mary Lou and Bob continued to be involved in many family, church and community activities. For their many contributions, Mary Lou and Bob were recognized as Charter Oak Citizens of the Year in 2005.
In retirement, Mary Lou continued to be active. Her grandchildren were blessed to receive many of grandma’s hand sewn quilts. “Grandma Lou” attended many school and athletic events. Mary Lou enjoyed presiding over the annual get-together of extended family known as the Bohnker Bash.
Mary Lou’s health began to fail after Bob’s death in 2009. In January, 2010, Mary Lou moved to the Reed House in Denison. In October, 2015, Mary Lou moved to the Manilla Manor Nursing Home and died there on Nov. 3, 2016.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents, John and Hope Webster, her brothers John Vincent; Bobby and Miles.
Those left to cherish her memory include her six children: Kyle and his wife, Joyce; Bruce and his wife, Jackie; Arlys; John and his wife, Jean; Robin and her husband, J. Garry; and Eric and his wife, Tammie; 16 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Betsy, and Shirley; many nieces, nephews and friends.
Mary Lou lived a full and wonderful life. Proverbs 31:28 “Her children shall rise up and call her blessed.”