****A memorial service will be held on Saturday June 27, 2026, at 2:00pm at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL****

·         Mary Lou Anderson, age 83, of Lombard, formerly of Oak Park, passed away on April 20, 2026, with her family at her bedside. She was married to Leland (Lee) Anderson for over 60+ years.

She was born at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, IN to Rev. Harry Ring and Theodora Caldemeyer Ring from Elberfeld, IN, also living in Trenton, IL and Wright City, MO. She graduated from Wright City High School and went to Elmhurst College (now University) in Elmhurst, IL with a degree in elementary education. She met Lee while at Elmhurst College and after graduating in 1964 she returned to teach in O'Fallon, MO. She enjoyed the 2nd graders as it was during the space race and the children talked about what piece their parents worked on on spacecraft at the McDonald-Douglas Plant in St. Louis.

Mary Lou and Lee were married on September 4, 1965, and moved to Oak Park. They had 2 children, Michael and Barbra. Mary Lou taught at Berwyn District #98 for several years and then moved to Oak Park District #97 doing primarily long-term subbing in kindergarten through 5th grade.

Loving mother of Michael (Jackie) Anderson and Barbra (Dave) Kopka. Proud grandmother of Parker (Meg) Anderson, Katherine Anderson and Emily and Grace Kopka. Adoring great-grandmother of Eleanor and Porter Anderson. Dear sister of Lois (Bill) Schubert, Carolyn (David) Kniker and brother Gordon (Kay) Ring. Fond aunt of Tim (Julie) Schubert, Beth (Jim) Berringer, Kevin (Heather) Kniker, Karin (Joe) Terry, Chris (Jamie) Ring and Jen (Sam) Ring-Tietz and many cousins and other family.

Mary Lou was active in the Bell Choir at First United Church of Oak Park, taught Sunday school, served on various boards and committees of the church, member of the Wednesday morning women's breakfast group, member of Prime Time, and was a member of the Evening Division. She will be remembered for her kindness and smile.

Mary Lou and Lee camped with their family starting with a tent graduating up over the years through pop-up campers, a travel trailer, and the last 17 years with a 5th wheel trailer. They covered 49 states and most of the provinces in Canada both with their children and in retirement in their 50+ years. Their most memorable trip was the 12 weeks they spent traveling with their camping club in Canada and Alaska in 2011 covering every paved road in Alaska and driving over 12,000 miles.

Mary Lou was a voracious reader and enjoyed sitting on the deck with a cup of coffee at home and later on the balcony at Beacon Hill Continuous Care Retirement Community in Lombard. She enjoyed baking bread, cookies, cakes and coffee cakes. At Christmas she helped Lee make chocolate covered candies for family and friends. She also enjoyed sewing for the family, especially needlepoint and cross stitch.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake Street, Oak Park IL 60301. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Lou's memory would be appreciated to Beyond Hunger (www.gobeyondhunger,org ) at 848 Lake St., Oak Park, IL 60301 or a food pantry of your choosing. Arrangements entrusted to the Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko-Director. Info at 708-F-U-N-E-R-A-L