Mary Lou Dahms

Mary Lou Dahms, 84, of Traer, passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held at a future date.

Mary Lou was born on July 29, 1939 in Nevada, Iowa, the daughter of Eldon and Lucille (Webb) Stratton.

She graduated from Maxwell High School and Iowa State Teacher’s College (UNI).

On August 9, 1959, she was united in marriage to Richard L. Dahms in Maxwell, Iowa. Mary Lou taught fifth grade at the North Tama School District and then raised her family and took care of their home when the kids came along. Mary Lou was a member of the Traer United Methodist Church, a charter member of the Traer Museum and a big supporter of the Traer Library. She enjoyed gardening and entertaining and she and Dick loved to travel. Her greatest joy was the time she spent with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughter, Denise (Don) Schmid of Beulah, MI; her son, Dirk (Kim) Dahms of Traer; grandchildren, Alexsis (Danny Capron) Glesener of Grand Junction, CO, Gabriel (Arianna) Glesener of Maple Shade, NJ, Gemma (Jeff Lewandowski) Glesener of Gardiner, OR, Dane (Savannah) Dahms of Florence, OR, Tyler Dahms of Ankeny, Tanner Dahms of Springfield, MO, and Claire Dahms of Traer; great-grandchildren, Ava Dahms, and Lily and Lacy Lewandowski, and Eli Ramos; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Richard “Dick” Dahms in 2017; siblings, Paul Stratton, Lois Seebach, and Jane Runyan.

Memorials may be directed to the Tama County Humane Society or the Traer Library.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.