Mary Lou SchifGridley, KS

Mary Lou Schif, 89, of Gridley, Kansas, passed away Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, KS.

She was born July 6, 1936, at Gridley, KS, the daughter of Scott Amerl and Mary E (Isch) Shaffer. She grew up in Gridley and graduated from Gridley High School.

On July 17, 1955, she and Marvin Dean Schif were married at the United Methodist Church in Gridley. They became the parents of three children. They spent their married life in the Topeka area. Mary Lou and Marvin attended the Town and Country Christian Church in Topeka.

Her husband, Marvin, preceded her in death on January 28, 2008, following more than 52 years of marriage. Mary Lou would eventually return to Gridley where she made her home, with the exception of a short time in Utah, where she moved to be near her daughter, Karla.

Mary Lou loved Gridley and the surrounding area. She was active and enjoyed getting out and visiting friends and others. She and her sister, Retha Hunter, were often seen together, out and about. Mary Lou had worked cleaning houses, at Hallmark, and selling Mary Kay Cosmetics, but what she enjoyed most was being a homemaker, caring for her family and home. She loved the time with her family and enjoyed playing board games with the children and grandchildren. She was an avid reader and enjoyed working word puzzles.

On May 16, 2024, Mary Lou suffered the loss of her son, Kevin Dean Schif. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and all of her siblings including Retha Hunter, Harvey Shaffer, Arnold Shaffer, Freda Eccles Paskins, and Lucille Whitehead.

She leave her daughters, Karla Woodward (Rick), Ogden, UT, and Kristal Schif, Topeka, KS;  6 grandchildren Rachel Schif, Geoffrey Schif (Megan), Brionna Steinhauer (Dalton), Michael McGuire, and Rilei and Rory Woodward;15 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends.

Mary Lou was a kind soul who enjoyed all the time with her family and friends. She fully enjoyed her long life and will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery at Burlington.

The family will meet with friends from 10:00 A.M. until funeral time Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gridley Christian Church and may be sent to Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

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