Mary Lou Bechel

1927 - 2023

Mary Lou Bechel, age 95, passed away on Monday, May 15, 2023 at Dove Healthcare West in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Mary Lou was born on August 1, 1927, WI to Thomas and Ann (Nothom) Bauer on the family farm in Arkansas, Wisconsin. She was one of six children who loved working together with the animals and doing the household chores. She walked across the field to grade school in Arkansas for eight years and graduated from Arkansas High School in 1945 in a class of 15. After graduation she moved to St. Paul, MN and worked in the lab at St. Joe's Hospital for a couple of years.

After moving back to the Eau Claire area and taking a job at Presto in the office, Mary Lou married the love of her life, Harry Bechel on May 29, 1948 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Arkansas, WI. They celebrated 70 years of marriage just before Harry passed away in July of 2018. Mary Lou and Harry had 8 children together, 5 boys and 3 girls. Mary went back to school and became a CNA working at Sacred Heart Hospital for over 20 years.

Mary Lou and Harry upon retirement loved to travel around the United States including, Alaska and Hawaii, visiting family. They loved staying at their trailer on Marshmiller Lake, where they went fishing and pontooning on the lake. Mary was a charter member of the St. James Parish. She was a PCCW member and past president. She sold Avon for many years. She loved knitting, crocheting, camping and cooking.

Mary Lou is survived by her daughters, Pat Candell, Pam (Patrick) Styer and Paula Bechel; sons, Tom (Penny) Bechel, Tony (Sandi) Bechel, Terry (Pam) Bechel and Ted (Dale) Bechel. She adored her 14 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Harry; son, Tim Bechel; son-in-law, Gerry Candell and granddaughter Erin Bechel-Kienbaum.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30am Thursday, June 1, 2023, at St. James the Greater Catholic Church, 2502 11th St. in Eau Claire, with Father Tom Krieg officiating. Visitation will be at 10 am up until the time of Mass at the church. Inurnment will be in Lakeview Cemetery. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services, Eau Claire is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.lenmarkfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorials to Dove Healthcare and St. James the Greater Catholic Church. The family wishes to express their thanks and gratitude to the staff at Dove Healthcare, who treated her like family and for their love and support.