Mary Lou Van Pelt

Mary Lou Van Pelt was born on August 8, 1940 in Elk City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Thurman and Francis Pitcock Moody. She died unexpectedly on Monday, July 17, 2017 at her home in Beloit, Kansas at the age of 76 years, 11 months, and 9 days.

Mary grew up and attended school in Elk City, and later quit school to pick cotton to help provide for her family. She went on to run a donut shop in Oklahoma, and later operated Mary's Kitchen restaurant in Beloit, where she met her future husband Jerry Van Pelt. She and Jerry were privileged to spend 38 years together until his death in November, 2012.

She enjoyed all animals, especially chickens, and wanted to spread the joy of raising farm animals to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also spent her spare time tending to her rosebushes and scrapbooking. More importantly, she had a great love of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was always very proud of them, and spent a lot of her time playing board games and dominoes, doing puzzles, and following all of their sports and school activities. She was also an active member of the Beloit First Christian Church, where she helped with funeral dinners and bible study classes.

In addition to her husband Jerry, she was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters; one brother; one daughter; and two sons-in-law.

Mary is survived by her children, Priscilla Shanks (B0b), Connie Burns (Bill), Patricia Bergmann (Donald), Donna McDonald (the late Randy), Hut Gochina, Candy Spicher, Connie Long, and Jeff Van Pelt (Angelica); 20 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 PM Friday, July 21 at the Beloit First Christian Church. Visitation will be on Thursday, July 20 from 1-8 PM with family present from 6-7 PM at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to St. John's Education Fund.