Mary Lou Kiehl, age 89, of Sheboygan passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Beaver Dam, WI. She was born in Sheboygan on September 4, 1935, to the late Newell and Hazel (Dewey) Brown. She graduated from Central High School. Mary Lou married her high school sweetheart, Arthur Kiehl on April 20, 1957. Mary Lou and Arthur lived most of their adult lives in Sheboygan, raising four children and participating in many community activities.
Mary Lou was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sheboygan where she served as a choir member, Sunday school teacher and Vacation Bible School leader. She transferred to St. Luke United Methodist Church. At St. Luke, Mary Lou was a member of the Sanctuary Choir, United Methodist Women Rachel Circle and book club, Jesus and Java and served Christ’s Meal for many years. In addition, Mary Lou was active in the March of Dimes and Rainbow Kids.
Mary Lou worked as a legal secretary, accounts payable for H.C. Prange Co., bookkeeper for Mid Co Packaging, bookkeeper for K.W. Muth Company and bookkeeper for RCS Empowers, Inc.
As a mother, Mary Lou loved and cared for her family, as well as her elderly relatives who had no children of their own. Mary Lou adored dogs, especially her beloved Pug, Buffy, Destin, Holly, MacKenzie and Tori. She was an avid sewist, sewing clothing for herself and her children for many years and quilting in her later years. Mary Lou sewed many items for the church bazaar each year, especially American Girl Doll clothes. In addition, she enjoyed sewing the costumes for the many theatrical events presented at RCS.
Mary Lou and Art had a love for traveling. They traveled throughout the U.S., as well as Europe, Russia, Thailand, Africa and China. They had a special connection to Historic Williamsburg, VA, that they were able to share with their grandchildren. Mary Lou and Art also enjoyed camping in many state parks in their RV.
Mary Lou is survived by her children, Kathleen (Joseph) Fuhrmann, Kimberly (Kerry) Zajicek, Gregory (Karen) Kiehl, and Elizabeth (James Gallagher) Kiehl; her grandchildren, Nina Casey, Taylor (Janet Cushing) Zajicek, Wesley Zajicek, Christopher Kiehl, Madeline (Cade Francour) Kiehl, Vania Shih and Michael Shih; her brother Stanley (Lucy) Brown; and nieces and nephews.
Along with her parents and husband, Mary Lou was preceded in death by her sister, Carol Kiehl, nephew Eric Kiehl and niece Amy Brown.
A Memorial Service for Mary Lou will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday, July 18, 2025, at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 623 Ontario Ave. in Sheboygan. Mary Lou’s family will greet visitors on Friday at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Mary Lou’s service will be livestreamed on her obituary page on the funeral home website. She will be laid to rest in Wildwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mary Lou’s name can be made out to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, the Humane Society of Sheboygan County, and/or Bookworm Gardens (Sheboygan, WI).
The family would like to thank the staff at Sheboygan Senior Community, Charleston House Memory Care (Beaver Dam, WI), and Marshfield Medical Center, Beaver Dam, WI, for their care of Mary Lou.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.ballhornchapels.com
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