Obituaries : Mary Lou Garin

Mary Lou Garin, 93, of Lansing, IA, passed away Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA, surrounded by her loving family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, June 26, at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Church in Lansing with Father Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial will follow in Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery in Lansing. Family and friends may greet the family from 9:00 AM until the time of services Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Gethsemane Cemetery. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is handling arrangements.
Mary Lou Garin was born on August 31, 1931, to Harold and Leona (O'Donnell) Troendle. She was the eldest of three children and graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in 1948. On February 15, 1950, she married the love of her life, Leo Garin, at Immaculate Conception Church in Lansing.
In 1953, Mary Lou and Leo purchased two farms on Whalen Hill Road. While raising her family and helping with the farm, Mary Lou also worked at The Button Factory, the Lansing Butcher Shop, and Expresso. She had a vibrant social life, especially when it came to playing cards. A fierce competitor, she cherished her card club and often shared fond memories of their laughter and friendship over the years.
Mary Lou had a deep love for the outdoors. She enjoyed mowing, raking hay, tending her flower beds, gardening, birdwatching, and feeding the birds. Most of all, she treasured time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Mary Lou will be remembered as a loving, selfless, and extraordinary woman. Her strength, kindness, sharp wit, and unwavering support shaped the lives of everyone around her. She led with compassion, determination, and a big heart. But when it came to cards-she was merciless, always playing to win!
She is survived by her children: Bob (Lori) Garin of Urbana, IA, Dick (Shally) Garin of Cedar Rapids, IA, Ray (Aggie) Garin of Lansing, IA, Denny (Lois) Garin of Lansing/Guttenberg, IA, Janelle (David) Kazimour of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Cheryl Garin of Lansing, IA; 15 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Kathy Garin of Cedar Rapids, IA; brother-in-law Harold McClintock of West Salem, WI; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Garin; her parents, Harold and Leona (O'Donnell) Troendle; two sisters: Rita Mae McClintock and Lorraine Troendle; two grandsons: her guardian angel Brian Garin and little angel Parker Garin; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law. Mary Lou is also survived by two cherished friends and original members of her card club, Bernadette Becker and Essie Welsh.
Urnbearers are Rachael Schroeder, Ryan Garin, Deanna Maley, Kyle Garin, Jen Garin, Jackie Bakker, Jenna Arey, Ashley Dugan, Adam Roepke, Sarah Carlson, Ben Garin, Carrie Felderman, and Katie Clark.