Mary Louise (Fisher) Short Obituary (1925

Mary Louise Short, 91, of Milton, Iowa passed away in her sleep in the early morning of Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at the Van Buren County Hospital in Keosauqua surrounded by family and loved ones. Mary Louise was born on January 10, 1925 on a farm north of Milton in Turkey Bend to Clarence William Fisher and Goldie Floy Strait Fisher. Mary Louise graduated from Milton High School in 1942. In high school she was an outstanding basketball player, playing all four years on the varsity team. Upon graduation, she worked at the Schaeffer Pen Company in Fort Madison, where she stayed until she was married. On January 21, 1945, Mary Louise married Rex Short in Milton. They lived on the farm south of Milton until their retirement in 1992. Mary Louise was a farm wife who enjoyed gardening, her chickens, and making ice cream on hot summer nights. She loved sewing quilts for her grandchildren and canning her garden produce. She was a caregiver for her children, grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and for Rex in his last years. She will be remembered as a trusted neighbor and friend to many. Mary Louise was involved in numerous community activities. She was the last living charter member of the Happy Hour Club, which she joined in 1955; a member of the Go and Chatter Club since 1945; and a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, serving as the church treasurer for 23 years. She remained active in the United Methodist Women. Those left to honor Mary Louise's memory include her children David Short (Ana Rigioni) of Milton, Iowa, Diane (Merle) Petersen of Oxford Junction, Iowa, Curtis Short (Kelly Barnard) of Milton, Iowa, Anita Marlay (Greg) of Camdenton, Mo.; sixteen grandchildren and twenty-four great grandchildren, and her sister-in-law, Mary Ann Fisher of Bloomfield, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rex; her parents, Clarence and Goldie Fisher; two sisters, Mavis Stookesberry and Ardis Barker; and one brother, Lloyd Fisher. Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday July 30, 2016 at Grace United Methodist Church, Milton with Pastor Mary Kathryn Hart officiating. Visitation with family will be from 9:30-10:30 A.M. Saturday at the church prior to the service. Burial will be in Sunnyside Cemetery, Milton. Memorials to Milton Alumni Association, Sunnyside Cemetery or Hospice of Central Iowa may be left at the church or mailed to the family 709 Union Street, Milton, IA 52570. Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua is handling the arrangements.