Mary Lou Rider

Our mother, Mary Lou (nee Foley) Rider joined our father in heaven on Thursday, December 6, 2012. She was born to the late William and (Helen) Foley on December 8, 1929 in Kansas City, Kansas. Mary Lou was an alumni of the University of Kansas - Lawrence. She met Charles Rider while both worked for the Kansas City Kansan Newspaper. They married on September 5, 1952. In 1953 and 1955, two daughters completed their family. Charlie preceded her in death on July 18, 1988. In 1963, Mary Lou and Charlie transferred their girls to Green Bay. They settled in Ashwaubenon and started weekend camping trips to Door County. Never minding the weather, mom was so organized our campsites were like nests. They taught us girls to swim, ski, ice skate and took us fishing wherever fish were biting. Mom and Dad joined Green Bay Community Theater (Dad on stage) and Mary Lou behind the curtain. Together they enjoyed duplicate bridge clubs, local casinos and trips to Vegas. Mother's career as a travel agent afforded she and dad worldwide travel, collecting small treasures and a trip to the very first Super Bowl. After retirement, Mary Lou enjoyed bingo, casino games, month...[more]

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bunco club and craft classes. She was so proud to gift her class projects. She so looked forward to her monthly luncheons with her crafty pals and her trips to Vegas with Cheri and Jim. Mom was a huge Packer fan. We could hear stadium cheers from our house. Mary Lou rarely missed a televised Brewer game. She was so proud at how large her family had grown to include four grandkids and eight great-grandkids. Surviving her are two daughters, Gayle Rider-Valentine and Cheri (Jim) Gantz; grandchildren, Melinda (Jeff) Starry, Curt (Beth) Gantz, Becky (Craig) Meyer and Andrea (Tom) Begotka; great-grandchildren, Trinity, Dylan, Sara and Kristen Gantz; Sophie, and Charles Keith Meyer, Jake and Ryan Begotka; and her brother, William (Sue) Foley of Florida. Our family wishes to thank the following friends and neighbors; Mardelle, Rodger, Jenny and Joe, and her beloved Jimmy, Dorothy and Floyd BINGO! Shelley and Gary Ambrosius (Twin Creek Petcare) who adopted her much loved Yorkie, Teddy; her bunco club friends and craft class pals; the staff of Santa Maria for their excellent care during her three convalescent stays there; the wonderful staff of Century Ridge. Her home away from home for their constant and patient care in her time of need; and the caring and compassionate folks at SouthernCare Hospice, especially Lacey, Rachel and Molly. God Bless you All. Many thanks to Major Ruth Faye of the Salvation Army for her travel to deliver mom's eulogy. A memorial fund has been established in her name, going to either the Salvation Army, or the American Red Cross. Visitation will take place Saturday, December 15, after 10 am at Lyndahl Funeral Home, 1350 Lombardi Avenue where the funeral service will take place at 12 noon with Major Ruth Faye of the Salvation Army officiating. Entombment will be at the Shrine of the Good Shepherd.