Mary Reichert

Mary Lou Reichert
Mary Lou Reichert, a 55 year Ponca City resident, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away, Thursday, December 29, 2016 at Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was 82.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 2:00pm Friday, January 6th at Asbury United Methodist Church in Ponca City with Rev. Cindy Robertson Riedel of St. Paul's United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be at a private family ceremony at Resthaven Memorial Park in Ponca City prior to the Celebration of Life ceremony. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Those who wish to pay their respects to Mary Lou can visit Grace Memorial Chapel until Thursday evening 8 p.m.
Mary Lou was born on April 14,1934 in Topeka, Kansas to Ben and Helen Wendt. She had two sisters, Edna and Lois. She grew up in Topeka, Kansas. While working for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Topeka she met the love of her life William "Bill" Reichert. They were married in Topeka, Kansas on October 14,1956 and moved to Ponca City in 1961. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2016.
Mary Lou's life was one of dedication to her church. She was a very active member of Asbury United Methodist Church beginning in 1961. She sang in the choir for many years, was on the church board and held other positions in the church and always volunteered when it was time to organize church events. With her unique talent of sewing, she made all the church banners and several cross-stitch pictures that hang on the church walls.
Many knew Mary Lou as the "go to" second Mom for the many kids growing up on Bradbary Lane in Ponca City....and there were many. Being a stay at home mom, the neighborhood kids could always go to her house anytime for those needed hugs, scraped knees, a snack or even get their hair combed before school. The kids loved her for her gentleness and caring attitude.
Since 1994 she has been an unpaid volunteer for Raindrops, an organization within Hospice, that is a ministry to the immediate needs of those experiencing the loss of a stillborn or newborn infant. Raindrops volunteers sew appropriately sized gowns, blankets, and other materials so that the family, and hospital staff, can treat the deceased with full human dignity and respect. Her commitment to cutting out and sewing these items was always very strong. Mary Lou began this work in 1994 shortly after she also lost a still bom granddaughter.
Mary Lou was a weekly volunteer at Via Christi Village in Ponca City. Her assistance to the Activities Director for "Snack and Yak" time and monthly birthday parties for the residents was significant. The residents loved her and she loved them making many new friends throughout the years.
Survivors include her husband Bill, son Steven and wife Sherry of Austin, Texas, daughter Stacey Magee and husband Bruce of Stillwater, Oklahoma, son Scott of Louisville, Colorado, and son Stanton and fiancg Lisa Latham of Edmond, Oklahoma. Mary Lou and husband Bill have four grandchildren, Kyle, Karii, Blake and Braden and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and one granddaughter, Abby.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of Northern Oklahoma, 445 Fairview Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601 or Asbury United Methodist Church 700 W. Liberty, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Visitation

Grace Memorial Chapel
2016 N. 14th
Ponca City, OK  74601
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Grace Memorial Chapel
2016 N. 14th Street
Ponca City, OK  74601
Thursday, January 5, 2017
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Service

Memorial Services

Asbury United Methodist Church
700 W. Liberty
Ponca City, OK  74601
Friday, January 6, 2017
2p.m.

Cemetery

Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery
1901 E. Hubbard Road
Ponca City, OK  74601

Memorial Contributions

Hospice of North Central Oklahoma
445 Fairview
Ponca City, OK  74601

Asbury United Methodist Church
700 W. Liberty
Ponca City, OK  74601