Mary Lou Fernetti, 90, of Niota, Illinois, passed away at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 7, 2022 at The Kensington in Fort Madison Iowa, surrounded by her family.
Mary Lou was born on January 24, 1932 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Glenn and Wilda (Hummel) Siegrist. Early in life she married Bruce Currless. They later divorced. On August 25, 1956 she married Buonavetia Doray “Jocko” Fernetti in Nauvoo. He preceded her in death on April 16, 2012.
Mary Lou was a 1951 graduate of Nauvoo High School. Following high school she graduated with a Teachers Degree from Western Illinois Teachers College in Macomb, Illinois. She taught for one year in Lewistown, Illinois. She and her husband, Jocko, later returned to the Nauvoo area, where she owned and operated the Art Needle Workshop from 1982 until retiring in 2019.
Mrs. Fernetti was a member of the Nauvoo United Methodist Church, Nauvoo Historical Society and the Nauvoo Weld House Museum. Her hobbies included needle work, quilting and playing Bingo with friends at The Kensington. She enjoyed attending her grandsons’ sporting events.
Survivors include one son: Stephen (Barbara) Fernetti of Lomax, Illinois, three grandsons: Glenn (Jaime) Fernetti of Keokuk, Iowa, Kellen Fernetti of Galesburg, Illinois and Bryant (Kacy) Fernetti Puxico, Missouri; two step-grandsons: Ryan Walker of Lomax, David Walker of Macomb, Illinois; one great-granddaughter: Harper Grace Fernetti and two step-great-grandsons: Cameron and Brody Robertson.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents and her husband: Jocko.
The funeral service for Mrs. Fernetti will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at the Nauvoo United Methodist Church with Pastor Mark Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in the Nauvoo City Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until time of services Wednesday at the church.
Schmitz-Banks & Beals Funeral Home of Nauvoo is assisting the family. A memorial fund has been established for the Nauvoo United Methodist Church or PAWs Animal Shelter of Fort Madison. To leave a tribute for the family, please visit Mary Lou’s obituary at sbbfuneralhome.com.
