White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence - Mary Lou Lawless, 71 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Thursday, September 24, 2020, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence.  She was born on November 27, 1948, in Oelwein, Iowa, the daughter of Paul Harold and Anne Louise (Aylsworth) Newton.  She graduated from high school in Independence in 1967, and then graduated from Hawkeye Community College in 2004.  On June 17, 1967, she and David Warren Lawless were married at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence.  He preceded her in death in 2018.  Mrs. Lawless was a member of Real Life church in Waterloo, Iowa, and attended Hope Wesleyan Church in Independence.  Her family and friends were important to Mrs. Lawless.  She was confirmed “people person.”  She also enjoyed time spent with her horses and other farm animals. She was a member of the United States Trotting Association.

Mrs. Lawless is survived by her daughter, Lisa (Roger) Fischels of Independence, 1 daughter-in-law, Terri Jo Lawless of Independence, 3 grandchildren, Jasmine (Seth) Eblinig, Michael Fischels, and Luke Lawless, and 2 sisters, Nancy (Steven) Bantz and Rebecca (Paul) Zieser, both of Independence.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, 1 son, David Lawless, and 1 half brother.

Memorial Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2020, at the White Funeral Home in Independence with Rev. Bob Solon officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2^nd, at the funeral home.