Marie Louise (Mary Lou) Conrod, 83, died peacefully at home on September 20, 2011.

She was born in Winfield on February 20, 1928 at Wm. Newton Memorial Hospital to James A. and Georgia (Bush) Conrod. She was reared on the family farm north of Winfield and graduated from Winfield High School in 1945 and the University of Kansas in 1950.

Mary Lou began her career in advertising with Kroger Grocery in Wichita. Ms. Conrod had a 51-year career at the Winfield Daily Courier in the advertising department, retiring in 2005. In 1988 she was awarded second place for Best Small Space Campaign, Daily Division, by the Kansas Associated Press.

Her hobbies included gardening and raising dogs. She was an avid reader in all genres, but was particularly a newspaper reader. She was a great Civil War buff after being introduced to the subject by a neighbor whose relative had been a POW during that conflict. She enjoyed horseback riding and was a long-time member of the Winfield Saddle Club. As a KU alumna, she was an avid Jayhawk sports fan.

She is survived by ten nieces and nephews who remember her as the aunt they could count on to provide fireworks at the 4th of July, teach lawn care and gardening and provide lessons in painting and furniture refinishing.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Gene Conrod and James Conrod and her sister-in-law, Joan Conrod.

Survivors include her brother, Donald Conrod and his wife Martha of Kent, Washington; her sister-in-law Myrna Conrod of Winfield; nieces Becky Jack and Linda Groth of Winfield; Barbara Graham, Nancy Conrod and Karen Metz of the Kansas City area; Connie Bland of Alba, TX; Gail List of Malmo, Sweden; Gwen Colgan of Bainbridge Island, WA; nephews Larry Conrod of Winfield and David Conrod of Marietta, GA; and numerous great nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by Trixie Boy, Manny Boo Boo, Tinky, Opie, John Dog, Gidget, Dilly, Tipper, Tipper II, Cricket, and Bug. She is survived by Poppy Puppy.

Visitation will be held at Miles Funeral Service on Thursday, September 22, 2011 from 6 to 8pm. Graveside funeral services will be held at Union Graham Cemetery on Friday, September 23 at 11:00am.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Cowley County Humane Society. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.