Mary Lou Hawker of Manchester

Mary Lou Hawker, 88, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on November 15, 1937, in Victor, Iowa, to Louis and Dora (Refer) Schwertfeger. She grew up on the family farm outside of Deep River, Iowa, and graduated from Deep River High School in 1955.

Following graduation, Mary Lou worked for the telephone company in Grinnell before moving to Cedar Rapids,

where she worked in the auditor’s department at the Roosevelt Hotel. It was there, at a dance at Dance Land, that

she met the love of her life, Wallace “Wally” Hawker. The two were married on June 14, 1959, at the Evangelical

Reformed Church in rural Marengo, beginning a beautiful life together filled with love, family, and adventure.

Mary Lou and Wally moved to Winter Haven, Florida, where their first son was born. They eventually returned to

Iowa to be closer to family and made their home in Manchester, where they spent the next 63 years building a life

and raising their family together. Their union was blessed with three children. Mary Lou cherished her role as a wife and mother, and her family was always at the center of her world. After Wally’s passing in November 2022, Mary Lou lived with her daughter Tricia and son-in-law Shawn for two years before moving to Marietta’s Place in

February 2025.

Faith was an important part of Mary Lou’s life. She was a member of First Lutheran Church, and participated in the

Women’s Circle, taught Sunday school, and served as a Cub Scout den mother. While raising her children, she also

provided in-home childcare. She later worked in the accounting office at Delaware County Memorial Hospital until

her retirement in 1992.

Mary Lou loved traveling throughout the United States, especially out West to the Black Hills of South Dakota and

Yellowstone. Camping and fishing with Wally were among her favorite pastimes, and those trips created memories

she treasured. At home, she enjoyed baking, playing cards, crocheting, and reading. Music was another favorite,

especially the songs of Alan Jackson and Neil Diamond.

Above all, Mary Lou loved and adored her family. She was a devoted mother to her three children, Wallace “Greg”

Hawker and his wife, Betsy; David Hawker and his wife, Amanda; and Tricia Foster and her husband, Shawn.

She was a proud grandmother to eight grandchildren: Stephanie, Joshua, Gregory, Sarah, Kara, Kamille, Dylan, and

Derik. Her love grew even more with the arrival of her eight great-grandchildren: Faye, Flynn, Daxton, Declan,

Silas, Juniper, Kellan, and Kyler. She shared a particularly special bond with her great-grandson Kyler, who

lovingly knew her as GG. Being a mother, Grandma, and GG were one of the greatest joys of her life, and she

treasured the time and memories she shared with each generation.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wally; her parents, Louis and Dora (Refer) Schwertfeger;

her siblings, Louis, Dorothy, and Richard; her parents-in-law, Carl and Hazel Hawker; and her sisters-in-law and

brothers-in-law.

She is survived by her three children and their spouses, eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, two

surviving sisters-in-law, along with nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.

Mary Lou will be remembered for her kind and gentle nature, her loving heart, her faith, and her unwavering

devotion to family. She had a special way of expressing her love, often reminding those closest to her with her

2 familiar words, “Love you more.” Those three words became part of her legacy, a simple but lasting expression of

the deep love she held for her family.

She was so very loved and will be so very missed by all who knew and loved her. Though she is no longer here to

share in family gatherings, holiday celebrations, card games, or everyday moments, her love will remain woven into the lives of those she leaves behind.

How lucky we are to have had you for our mother, Grandma, and GG. Thank you for a lifetime of love, for the

memories we will forever cherish, and for teaching us that love is something we carry with us always.

We will always love you more, Mom.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 24, 2026, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manchester, Iowa.

Visitation: 9:00-10:45 a.m., Saturday, October 24, 2026, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manchester, Iowa.

Interment: Oakland Cemetery, Manchester, Iowa