Mary Lou Mathena

Mary Lou Mathena

Monroe, Utah

Mary Lou Wagoner Mathena, known as Mary Lou to all who loved her, passed away at the age of 76, on January 17, 2019 at home surrounded by all who loved her.

Mom was born on September 2, 1942 in Wamego, Kansas. After living in Kansas for a short while she, with her parents and younger brother, moved to Washington state. She talked often of her time on the family farm and the joys of her childhood there. As a teenager they moved to Arizona where she attended Mesa High School and met our father and was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She remained a faithful member throughout her life. She married Carlisle Wayne Mathena on August 6, 1959. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. They later divorced.

She was blessed with 4 children in 4 years: Mischelle "Shelly" Trejo, Monroe; Mark, Lakeside, CA; Mitchell, American Fork; and baby sister, Marie, El Cajon, CA. After living in Arizona the first 10 years of their marriage they moved to California. She loved being a mother and did her best to teach us how to be productive, self sufficient adults. She knew how to make life fun and how to get by on a meager income after our parents divorced. She never complained when life got hard raising her 4 children. She sacrificed to go back to school to be trained as an office manager for a major floral supply company where she worked until she retired. In her earlier life she loved sewing and made many of her children’s clothes. She also shared her joy of cooking with her children. After retirement her health began to decline so she moved to Utah to live with her daughter Shelly and husband Steven. She loved her time in Monroe and often talked of how beautiful it was and how much she loved living there. Life became difficult for her as her health declined and she was unable to do many of the things she enjoyed. She did continue to read and enjoy strengthening her testimony of her Savior and was never afraid to share it with others. We will miss her terribly and look forward to the day we can be with her again. Love you Mom.

Survived by her 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents, Marion Olan Wagoner, Hazel Leona Fairchild Sweet; brother, Lonnie Dale Wagoner.

Graveside services to be held Monday January 21, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the Monroe City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com