Mary Lou Alvera (Johnson) Kannawurf, 83, of Fenton died Sept. 28, 2023. Mrs. Kannawurf, a lifelong resident of Fenton, was a homemaker and provided childcare to numerous children, both in her home and at Wee Care Day Care and the Goddard School in Fenton. Raised in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, she was a member of both Valley Park Lutheran Church in Valley Park and Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Fenton. She taught Sunday School and VBS, served as Sunday school superintendent for 20-plus years, worked many church dinners, volunteered in numerous roles in the school while her children attended, led the older adult group and was in charge of decorating the sanctuary for Christmas. She also was an active member of Aid Association for Lutherans/Thrivent, serving at both the local and state levels. In 1990, she was recognized as one of President George H.W. Bush’s 1,000 Points of Light for her volunteerism efforts and was invited to attend a banquet at the White House. She enjoyed cooking, cleaning, crafting and gardening. Born Aug. 9, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Alvin and Rhoda Johnson.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 64 years: Lewis A. Kannawurf; two sons: Dale L. (Laurie) Kannawurf and Mark L. Kannawurf; a daughter: Holly L. (Martin) Spraul; and three grandchildren: Kyle E. Kannawurf, Shelby C. Spraul and Gracie L. Spraul. She was preceded in death by her parents-in-law: Lewis E. and Ruth Kannawurf; and many other family members and friends.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2, at Jay B. Smith Funeral Home, 777 Oakwood Drive, in Fenton. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until a funeral service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1500 San Simeon Way, in Fenton. Burial will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery, 1215 Lemay Ferry Road, in South St. Louis County. Memorials may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Sunday School. Arrangements are under the direction of Jay B. Smith Funeral Home.