Mary Lou T. Smith, age 94, of Grand Rapids, MN, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at her home.

Mary Lou was born in 1931 to Paul and Loretta Bodick in northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota, one of ten children, and grew up in the Spring Lake Park area. She attended school until 10th grade and then started her lifelong career in food service. Having cooked the majority of her life, Mary Lou was a tremendous cook which she passed to her daughter, Michelle. It was in Minneapolis/NE Minneapolis that she raised her four children and was there until her retirement at the age of 62 when she moved to northern Minnesota to be closer to family, especially her grandchildren.

Mary Lou liked to read, build puzzles, embroider, and complete crossword puzzles. She also took great joy in sending annual Christmas cards.

Mary Lou is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Theresa Smith; grandson, Asher Smith; and seven siblings, Paul Jr, James, Richard, Joseph, Patricia, Yvonne, and Thomas.

She is survived by her daughter, Michelle (LeRoy); sons, Jim (Gari) Smith, Joseph Smith; sister, Bernadette "Sue" Leach; brother, Raymond (Darlene) Bodick; eight grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and loving friends and family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Grand Rapids, Minnesota at 11:00 am with a visitation one hour prior. Burial will be at Harris Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MN at a later date.

A celebration of life will be held September 12, 2026, at Bass Brook Community Center, Cohasset, MN.

Arrangements are with Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.