Mary Louise Fleckenstein

Mary Louise Fleckenstein 

Sept. 29, 1935 - July 5, 2025

Mary Lou lived a humble and simple life guided by her strong Catholic faith. She loved all things gardening, her family, and helping the underserved. She had a gorgeous garden every year, which she grew in order to keep the food pantry at St. Joseph filled with veggies throughout the summer. Jesus said to feed the hungry and she lived that fully. Mary Lou’s life was filled with service, which included a stint with the Peace Corps in El Salvador after retiring from Friendship Village as their Activities Director. She was active in her roles at St. Augustine and most recently St. Joseph in Kalamazoo.

She was preceded in death by her mother Evelyn Redmond Lemon, father Cortez Lemon, brothers Timothy Lemon and Dennis Lemon, husband Kenneth, and son James. She is survived by her children Elise Gillem (Mark), Carolyn Perry (Dan), Brian Fleckenstein (Anita), and Margot Stiel (Häsi), Grandchildren Steven, Tyler, Jacob, Cassie, Charles, Gracie, Jessica, Ken; and several great-grandchildren.

Memorial Service will be held Friday, July 11 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kalamazoo. Visitation begins at 10 am, with service at 11am. She will be buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at a later date.

If you would like to make a donation in her memory, family suggests her favorite organizations: Donate Life NW, Heifer International, and Shriners Hospitals for Children.