Mary Lou (Carlson) Means went to be with the Lord at her home in West Lebanon, IN, on October 15, 2025, at the age of 92. She was born January 21, 1933, in Wellington, IL, to Swedish parents, Julius and Tillie (Johnson) Carlson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Louise Hodge, Esther Webb, Irene Carlson, Lloyd Carlson, and John Carlson; and her granddaughter, Casie Jo Wells.
She is survived by her three children, Connie (Dean) Bailiff of West Lebanon, IN, Cody (Brenda) Wells of Melbourne, FL, and Jackie (Larry) Hawk of West Lebanon, IN; her sister, Lillian Anderson of Hoopeston, IL; sister-in-law, Kay Carlson of Milford, IL; four grandchildren, Master Sergeant Alan Wells, Harley Hawk, Hailey McCarthy, and Jennifer Steinsdoerfer; five great-grandchildren, Parker Wells, Rhett, Luke, and Archer Hawk, and Waylon McCarthy; and many nieces and nephews.
Mary Lou enjoyed reading the Bible, watching old westerns, and playing euchre, 500 Rummy, and Chinese checkers. She loved living with her daughter Connie and her family, spending time with her son, Cody, in Florida, and going on ice cream runs with her daughter, Jackie. She ate chocolate every day claiming it was her Swedish heritage to do so. She also spent time as a volunteer at the American Legion. Mary Lou was loved and will be missed by all.
Visitation will be held 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. CT Friday, October 24, 2025, at Anderson Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St., Hoopeston, IL 60942. The funeral service will follow the visitation and will begin at 11:00 A.M. CT Friday, at the funeral home with Pastor Brent Zastrow officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of Mary Lou to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or to the Hoopeston Animal Rescue Team (H.A.R.T), 901 W. Main St., Hoopeston, IL 60942.
Please visit www.anderson-funeral-home.com to view Mary Lou’s eternal tribute page and to send the family condolences.
Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.
