Mary Lou Odle, 74, passed away Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, at her home. She was born July 15, 1945, in Beloit, the daughter of Paul and Susan (Gasper) Zimmer. She married Terry Odle, June 1, 1981 in Salina.

Mary Lou graduated from Downs High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Fort Hays State University in Home Economics Education and a Master of Science from Kansas State University in Adult Education. Mary Lou taught high school in Plainville and was a Kansas State Research and Extension agent in Russell County before accepting a similar position in 1978 in Salina. She retired in 2012 after 34 years in that position.

Mary Lou was the embodiment of service above self. She served for many years, both before and after retirement, as a counselor for Senior Health Insurance Counseling of Kansas. The quilting arts were one of her special interests and she was active in the Salina Silver Needles Quilt Guild and also served on the Advisory Council of Salina Senior Services. In 2009, she was honored with a Greater Salina Community Foundation Women of Achievement Award. She won the 1999 Communications Award from the Kansas Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences for one of her columns in the Salina Journal.

After retiring, Mary Lou enjoyed trips to Stockton where she and Terry had a second home and a farming operation. Mary Lou was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish of Salina where she was active in Altar Society and other church ministries.

In addition to her husband, Terry, she is survived by: her stepson, David Odle (Kim) of Salina; brother, Terry Zimmer (Valerie) of Salina; sisters, Rita Holling (Ron) of Alton, and Joan Drees (Larry) of Ellinwood; brother and sister-in-law, Ted Odle (Jean) of McPherson, and Tammy Goering (Greg) of McPherson; nieces and nephews, Mark Holling (Shannon) of Alton, Mary Ellen Beck (Rob) of Stockton, Kathy Holling of Kensington, Jeff Holling (Beth) of Glen Elder, Michael Drees (Arielle) of Hays, Sarah Liebll of Hutchinson, Angie Mendez (Manny) of Topeka, Trenton Goering (Danielle) of Manhattan, and Taylor Goering of Galva.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; brother, Max; and nephew, Jeremy Zimmer.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina. Family will greet friends beginning at 6 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina. Burial will be at a later date in the Stockton Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to: the Saline County 4-H Development Fund, or Sacred Heart Cathedral, in care of Ryan Mortuary.