Mary Lou Anderson, 83, of Lombard, formerly of Oak Park, died on April 20, 2026, with her family at her bedside. Born at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis to Rev. Harry Ring and Theodora Caldemeyer Ring, she earned a degree in elementary education from Elmhurst College. After graduating in 1964, she returned to teach in O’Fallon, Missouri. She enjoyed the second-graders as it was during the space race and the children talked about what piece of the spacecraft their parents worked on at the McDonald-Douglas Plant in St. Louis.
Mary Lou taught at Berwyn District 98 for several years and then moved to Oak Park District 97 doing primarily long-term subbing, kindergarten through 5th grade.
She was married to Leland (Lee) Anderson for 60+ years. After the wedding on Sept. 4, 1965, they moved to Oak Park and raised two children, Michael and Barbra.
She 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.
Mary Lou and Lee camped with their family starting with a tent, graduating 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.
A voracious reader, she 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 also enjoyed sewing for the family, especially needlepoint and cross stitch.
Mary Lou was the mother of Michael (Jackie) Anderson and Barbra (Dave) Kopka, the grandmother of Parker (Meg) Anderson, Katherine Anderson and Emily and Grace Kopka; the great-grandmother of Eleanor and Porter Anderson; the sister of Lois (Bill) Schubert, Carolyn (David) Kniker and brother of Gordon (Kay) Ring; 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.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on June 27 at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake St., 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 were handled by the Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko – Director.