Mary Lois Luers

Mary Lois (Culp) Luers passed away on January 24th at her residence after 95 remarkable years. Mary Lois was born in Rensselaer on June 15, 1927, to George and Olive (Osborne) Culp, the youngest of five children. She began playing the accordion and piano at a young age and continued throughout her life playing Saturday dances in the Big Band era of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s and giving piano lessons. Mary Lois graduated from Rensselaer High School in 1945 and moved to West Lafayette to work at Purdue University. She returned home to take care of her ailing mother and struck up a friendship with Marvin Luers whom she convinced to stay around Rensselaer. He obviously listened to her as they were married on April 24, 1948 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Rensselaer. Shortly after their marriage, Mary Lois had trouble walking and after many hospital visits, it was determined that she would need to be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. For a 25-year-old in a new marriage, this could have been devastating, but with grace and dignity Mary Lois played the cards she was dealt and persevered. Her saying was that “nothing was so bad that it couldn’t have been worse”. For 66 years of marriage, Mary Lois and Marvin raised five children and welcomed nine grandchildren. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved attending her children’s and grandchildren’s activities and loved following IU, even though she had worked for PU! She was involved in many organizations and clubs such as the Jasper Co. Hospital Auxiliary, Literary Club, Pantry Pals Home Ec. Club, and St. Augustine women’s group to name a few. Mary Lois was an excellent seamstress and cook. Many a woman in Rensselaer had her clothes altered or dresses made by Mary Lois, and she was quick to hand out her banana bread or famous chocolate chip cookies to anyone who stopped by. Her potato salad, deviled eggs, and Jell-O salads were always requested from the grandkids and rarely was there any left over. She loved gathering the produce and flowers from Marvin’s garden which the kids and grandkids helped plant each year. If Mary Lois knew you, you probably have a handwritten note from her. She was one of the few people who still wrote notes rather than send an email. You would call yourself lucky if you met Mary Lois and once you met her, you were friend and family. After meeting her, you could sense the care and concern she had for you. Other than not driving a car, there was nothing that would prevent Mary Lois from accomplishing a goal. She had a great sense of humor and memory. The stories and people she remembered were headshaking. She definitely was an amazing and inspiring woman and a role model for which all could aspire. Mary Lois leaves behind her five children: Stephen (Deb) Luers of Greenwood, IN; Phillip (Pam) Luers of Pawleys Island, SC; Mark Luers (Kent Springer) of San Diego, CA; Susan (Allen) Nail of West Lafayette, IN; and Kevin (Debbie) Luers of Bloomington, IN. Mary Lois had nine grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. There are also eight great grandchildren and six step-great grandchildren. Mary Lois is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Marvin, two sisters and two brothers. Visitation will be at Jackson Funeral Chapel, 250 N. McKinley Ave. Rensselaer, IN on Sunday, January 29, 2023,from 1-5 PM CDT. A rosary service will immediately precede the visitation at 12:45 PM. The funeral mass will be Monday, January 30 at 11:00 AM CDT at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 318 N. McKinley Ave. Rensselaer, IN. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Augustine School or in honor of Mary Lois, you can pay it forward and think of someone for whom you can do a good deed and show you care. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Jackson Funeral Chapel is entrusted with care. Share memories and condolences online at www.jacksonfuneral.com

Mary Lois Luers

June 15, 1927 - January 24, 2023