Obituary

Mary Lou Wood (Gerken), 89, passed away September 25, 2023 at Wilshire at Lakewood Rehab Center.  Visitation will be from 10:00 – 10:30 am Saturday, 10/7/2023 at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 700 NE Chipman Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 followed by a Memorial Service at 10:30 am.  Lunch will be provided after the Memorial service by the church for those wishing to stay.  Interment will be at Lee’s Summit Historical Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthews Lutheran Bereavement Committee.

Mary Lou was born in Mora, MO on July 13, 1934.  She moved to Kansas City at the age of 16 after graduating high school early.  She started her banking career as a bank teller at Park National Bank in which she grew her career over the next 35 years in banking.  Mary then pursued a role as Office Manager for the next 25 years and retired from AB May.

Mary was a member of the United Church Women and served as Treasurer.  She was a member of Second Presbyterian Church before moving to St. Matthews Lutheran Church.  At St. Matthews Lutheran Church she was a member of the Lydia Group and sewing circle.  Mary walked 2-5 miles a day up until she was 85.  She loved to quilt/cross stitch and would make every family member a quilt especially every grandchild and great grandchild.  She loved reading, puzzles, and word search.  She was the baker of the family and was known for her cinnamon rolls for every holiday.

Survivors include her children, Cathy Morgan, Kelly Wood (Will), and Stephen R Wood; 4 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her siblings; Theodore Gerken, Lenore Harms (Gerken), Thelma Renz (Gerken) and Robert Gerken.