Lavina Louise Mague

Louise Mague, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Mercy Westlakes Hospital in West Des Moines at the age of 84, or as she would say she is the 55th anniversary of her 29th birthday. 

She was born September 8, 1940 in Arnett, Oklahoma, to Charles (Nonie) & Nellie (Harmon) Bowles. 

Louise graduated from Adel High School in 1958. Shortly after graduation, she married the Love of her life, John Mague, on November 8, 1958. They made a loving home with 3 children - Lisa, Steve, and Sue. She ran an in-home daycare until 1974 when she started working at the Department of Health and Human Services in Adel until January 2002. 

Louise spent her years of retirement attending grandkids and great-grandkids activities, playing cards and marbles with her siblings and loved playing 500 and Mahjong card games. She was also a great supporter of her daughter Sue’s dance career, especially when her daughter started teaching at Adel Tumbling & Dance Club. She would assist with scenery, would check in dancers for pictures, pass out recital programs, sit at the information table during dress rehearsals/recitals, as well as being the studio seamstress. She also made homemade pies for her daughter Lisa’s restaurant - Patrick’s, for numerous years. She was the siblings’ chauffeur for many, many years, taking them to their appointments or just going out to eat. 

Left to cherish Louise’s memory is her children Steve Mague (Angie), Susan Dunsmoor (Chris); grandchildren Melissa Mickael, Justin Mickael (Kady), Elisabeth Mickael, Kayla Mague, John Mague (Ashley), Rachel Ivy (James), T/Trae Dunsmoor, Scott Dunsmoor; great-grandchildren Elsie, Charlotte, Violet, Beckett, Zander, Lola, Lexi, Kendall, Rhett, Sabina and Eliza. 

Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Nonie and Nellie Bowles; husband, John Mague; daughter Lisa Mickael (Pat Lanrz) ; and siblings and siblings in law, Frances Bowles (infant), Florence (Robert) Stucker, Benny Stucker, Charles (Joan) Bowles, Patricia Spoerry, Bonnie Bowles, and Rita Windust (Art Keller). 

A visitation will be held Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in Adel, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, at the funeral home on Friday, February 21, 2025. There will be a private burial for the immediate family. A luncheon will be held, following the Funeral, at Adel United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be directed to Adel United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be left at www.caldwellparrish.com.