Mary Lou Burr

Mary Lou Burr, 93, Newcastle, passed away August 26,2024 peacefully at her home in Custer, South Dakota. Mary Lou was born August 1, 1931, in Moorcroft, Wyoming to Lawrence and Anna (Schmitt) Ellis. Mary Lou grew up in the Upton/Newcastle, WY area. She lived for one year in Pocatello and Paris, Idaho during World War II. Mary Lou graduated from Newcastle High School. On April 24, 1949, Mary Lou married Wayne Burr in Sheridan, Wyoming. Together, they raised three daughters, Linda, Betty, and Marlene. They lived in Powell, Upton, Newcastle, WY and Scottsbluff, NE. After the passing of Wayne and a fall in 2016, Mary Lou moved to Custer, South Dakota, to live with her daughter, Betty. 

Mary Lou's greatest joy was her time as a homemaker, raising her family, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She especially loved the times when everyone could get together. The grandchildren have many stories about the two weeks they spent with their grandparents each summer - now affectionately referred to as "cousin camp". 

Mary Lou was active in the First United Methodist Church where she was a past president of the United Methodist Women. She served a number of meals and banquets with the group. She served as a girl scout leader 4-H leader, Church School teacher, official scorekeeper for girls' softball and was an honorary member of FHA. Mary Lou was a member of the Silver Haired Legislature, and the VFW auxiliary. 

Her hobbies included sewing, scrapbooking, and walking. Mary Lou enjoyed being outdoors and having picnics. In her words "No job was too big for me" and she was always busy. 

Mary Lou is survived by her three daughters Linda (Jim) Hollis of Hurst, TX, Betty Schmaltz of Custer, SD, and Marlene (Bob) Pedulla of Minatare, NE, her 6 grandchildren Jimmy (Erica) Hollis of Alamo Heights, TX, John (Leigh) Hollis of North Richland Hills, TX, Lyndsay Hollis of Justin, TX, Roger (Desaray) Schmaltz of Clear Lake, SD, Vince Schmaltz of Sturgis, SD, Kelcy (Bobby) Wiegel of Sundance and Cody Pedulla of Newcastle, WY, 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, husband Wayne, brother John (Gen) Ellis, sister Ruth Ann (Dean) Ray, son-in-law Nick Schmaltz, and grandson Allen Hollis. 

Everyone is invited to celebrate Mary Lou's life with a visitation on Thursday, August 29 at Meridian Funeral Home in Newcastle, WY from 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. As a group we will proceed to graveside services at Greenwood cemetery. A Memorial has been established to the Weston County School District # 1 Scholarship Fund.