Mary Lou Gangestad

Mary Lou (Hazelwood) Gangestad, the daughter of Robert and Eleanora (Boofer) Hazelwood, was born on June 10, 1936, on the family farm in Marshall County, Iowa, where she raised and educated. Mary received her GED from Eagle Grove High School in 1972.

On June 19, 1954, Mary was united in marriage with Richard Gangestad at her parent’s home in Steamboat Rock. The couple lived on a farm near Hampton for a short time, then lived in Steamboat Rock before moving to Eagle Grove in the mid 1960’s. Richard died suddenly on March 15, 1976, from injuries he sustained in a truck accident while he was working. Mary was a school bus driver for Eagle Grove and Clarion/Goldfield schools for 20 plus years, retiring in 1995.

Mary was a former member of Samuel Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove. She enjoyed playing bingo, bowling, watching baseball, football, game shows, soap operas and coffee time with “the girls”. Mary was a Hawkeye, Cyclone and Cubs fan.

Mary passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, at Rotary Senior Living in Eagle Grove, at the age of 83 years. She was also preceded in death by her grandparents, William and Florence (Miller) Boofer; parents; father and mother-in-law, Maurice and Florence (Ransford) Gangestad; brothers, Ron and Roger Hazelwood; granddaughter, Mikalya Moore; great-grandson, Ronnie Elsberry and brothers,-in-law, Melvin and Kenneth Gangestad.

Survivors include her six children: Wayne Gangestad (Erlene) of Albia, Karol Moore (James) of Boone, Lois Sankey (Jim) of Fort Dodge, Lora Gangestad of Goldfield, Jeanine Gangestad of Goldfield; Michael Gangestad, Sr. of Albia, 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 2 great great-grandchildren; sister, Sue Brown (Jerry) of Iowa Falls; brother, Richard “Dick” Hazelwood of Eldora and sisters-in-law, Denise Hazelwood of Eldora, Leah Hazelwood of Rantoul, IL, Phyllis Gangestad of Two Harbors, MN and Norma Gangestad of Atlantic.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove - Wearing Masks and Social Distancing are encouraged. Family services will be held on Friday, September 4, 2020, at Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove with Pastor Paul Stone officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery at Eagle Grove. Following the graveside service there will be a continued Celebration of Mary’s life at Greenwood Park – please bring a lawn chair and refreshments.

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