Mary Lou Syverson, age 74, of Twin Valley, MN died on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at her home, surrounded by her loving family and under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Mary Lou (Hilde) Syverson was born on September 14, 1938 to Amanda and Honard Hilde in Ulen, MN. Even though she was the baby of the family and the only girl, she assured everyone that she was never spoiled. She attended Keene Township Country School and then went to Ulen High School and graduated in 1956. Her classmates remained some of her closest friends throughout her life, and she looked forward to their many reunions.
In 1958 Mary Lou married Marlyn Syverson, son of Selmer and Cora Syverson of Ulen. They lived on a farm near Felton and Becky, Barth and Kelly were born in '59, '60, and '62. They attended North Buffalo church while living there. In 1966 they moved to their farm near Flom, MN and began milking cows. Heidi and Carter were born in '69 and '71. They retired from milking cows in 1986, but continued farming in semi-retirement. In 1988 Mary Lou became the secretary of the Wild Rice Lutheran Parish where she and Marlyn were members of Aspelund Church. She cranked out bulletins, newsletters, and annual reports until she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2012.
Mary Lou enjoyed traveling. She and Marlyn went to Europe four times, Texas many times, and took trips with their grandchildren to New Orleans, San Diego, and Washington D.C. Like her mother, Mary Lou enjoyed gardening and had many flowers in front of the house and on the window sills. Much of her spare time was spent going to football, lacrosse and basketball games, wrestling matches, and dance recitals where her grandchildren were always the stars. Mary Lou's true passion was probably politics. Children and grandchildren could always stop in the house and get a cookie and an earful about the government. Most people would agree that she was probably best known for her homemade bread. She always had a loaf on the counter. During her last weeks she gave her grandchildren a bread-baking lesson, so the tradition will continue.
Mary Lou had a great sense of humor and a heart that welcomed all people. We will miss her deeply.
Mourning her loss are her husband Marlyn; daughter, Becky Christensen of Twin Valley and children: Jon, Tony, Chelsey, Tyson, and Emilee; son, Barth of Flom: son, Kelly (Val-Jean) of Flom and children: Josh, Hannah, Nicholas, Nathanael, and Adam; daughter, Heidi (Ivan) Yuhanna of Red Oak, TX and children: Amanda, Andrew and Benjamin; son, Carter of Flom and children: Chase, Cora, Rylee, Reid, and Connor; four great-grandchildren: Alayna, Abby, Bernice, and Jack; three of her brothers: Harry, Gisle, and James; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Lowell and Wallace, and granddaughter, Tabitha.
The family wants you to know she didn't say good-bye; instead she said, "I'll see you later." And so we all look forward to a big family reunion in Heaven one day.
Funeral Services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley. Visitation was held at Aspelund Lutheran Church on Monday, March 11, 2013 beginning at 5:00 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 7:00, and continued until the time of the funeral on Tuesday. Officiating was Pastor Al Brooks with Jennifer Short serving as organist and special music provided by The Habedank Family, Heidi Yuhanna and Val-Jean Syverson. Pallbearers were Jon, Tony, Tyson, Josh, Nicholas, Nathanael, Chase, Andrew, Chelsey, Emilee, Hannah, Adam, Amanda, Benny, Cora Rylee, Reid, Connor, Abby, Alayna, Bernice and Jack. Honorary Pallbearers were Mosses Yuhanna, Ray Yuhanna, Kenny Lohtka, Jon Fabre, Gary Haugo, and so many close friends.
Inurnment took place at Atlanta Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, family requested donations be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley or charity of your choice.