Mary Lou Wilcox Doak
Mary Lou Wilcox Doak, 83, died on April 21, 2025. She grew up in Mt. Pleasant.
She enjoyed working with horses, training dogs and judging dog shows. She was regularly hired to judge AKC obedience trials throughout the Midwest. She spent several summers writing reviews of horse shows for the Des Moines Register.
However, her real life’s focus was her family, including daughters: Jennifer (Dan) Webster of Johnston, Mary Lyn (Pete) Sailor of Ames, Amy (Greg) Moore of Newton and Danielle (Zac) Christensen of Grimes, 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She learned a new profession, accounting, and went to work to pay for the kids’ college. Mary Lou was a founding member of St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir for 50 years. As a volunteer, she served on the Johnston Park Board, Johnston Board of Adjustment and an advisory committee for Des Moines Area Education Agency.
Mary Lou met her husband, Richard, when they were students at Iowa State University. They enjoyed 64 years together.
A funeral mass was held Friday, April 25, at St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church. Memorials are suggested to the St. Mary of Nazareth Church Choir. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com. Arrangements were by Iles Westover Chapel.
She enjoyed working with horses, training dogs and judging dog shows. She was regularly hired to judge AKC obedience trials throughout the Midwest. She spent several summers writing reviews of horse shows for the Des Moines Register.
However, her real life’s focus was her family, including daughters: Jennifer (Dan) Webster of Johnston, Mary Lyn (Pete) Sailor of Ames, Amy (Greg) Moore of Newton and Danielle (Zac) Christensen of Grimes, 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She learned a new profession, accounting, and went to work to pay for the kids’ college. Mary Lou was a founding member of St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir for 50 years. As a volunteer, she served on the Johnston Park Board, Johnston Board of Adjustment and an advisory committee for Des Moines Area Education Agency.
Mary Lou met her husband, Richard, when they were students at Iowa State University. They enjoyed 64 years together.
A funeral mass was held Friday, April 25, at St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church. Memorials are suggested to the St. Mary of Nazareth Church Choir. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com. Arrangements were by Iles Westover Chapel.
