Mary Lou (Kline) Lechner

Mary Lou Lechner, 88, of Aberdeen, and formerly Leola, SD, passed away Sunday, November 8, 2020, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen.

Private family Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Leola, SD with Father Tim Smith, Celebrant.

Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Public Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, at the mortuary.  A private family liturgical wake service begins at 7:00 p.m.

Mary Lou’s family respectfully requests the use of masks and social distancing at her visitation and services. 

Family and friends may sign Mary Lou’s online guestbook on our website, www.schriversmemorial.com.  Her service will be recorded and viewable later that day via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Mary Louise Kline was born April 24, 1932, to Daniel Joseph and Veronica “Fern” Frances (Lapka) Kline in Leola, SD.  She attended country school in Willow and Washington Townships and graduated from Leola High School with the Class of 1950.

Mary Lou was united in marriage to DeWayne Leslie Lechner on September 22, 1951, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Leola.  The couple lived at Travis Air Force Base in California before relocating to the Leola and Long Lake, SD area, where they owned and operated “D&M Cafe” in Leola for 30 years until their retirement.  

In 2018, Mary Lou became a resident of Avera Mother Joseph Retirement Community in Aberdeen and within her first week there became known as the “bingo queen”.  She continued to make Mother Jo her home until the time of her death.

Mary Lou was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, the Senior Center and the Roy S. Hickman American Legion Auxiliary, all in Leola.  In her free time, Mary Lou enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels at their feeders. 

Blessed to have shared her life are her children: Vickie (Dwight) Dykes of Sedan, KS, Valerie (Burt) Misslitz of Warner, SD, Randy (Donna) Lechner of Aberdeen, Wade (Victoria Hayes) Lechner of Aberdeen, Marsha (Kevin) Grattan of Sedgwick, KS, Candice (Ron) Kappes of Leola, SD, Brenda (Bernie) Rall of Forbes, ND, Todd (Julie) Lechner of Aberdeen and Michelle (Jason) Roblewsky of Warner, SD; many grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; one brother, Terry (Marilyn) Kline of Mina, SD; brother-in-law, Donald (Bonnie) Grey, Sr. of Midland, TX; three foreign exchange students:  Richardo (Marge) Baron of the Philippines, Leana Karyna Marques of Houston, TX, Jens Mueller of Germany; her “daughter by heart”, Maria Evans of Leola, SD; her “son by heart”, Dan (Janet) Harrington of Fargo, ND; and her faithful furry companion, “Buddy”.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Veronica; two sons, Danny Lechner and Kimberly Lechner (in infancy); two brothers:  Arlen Kline and Keith Kline; one sister, Shirley Grey; and two grandsons:  Adam Dykes and Michael Lechner.

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