Mary Lou (Mertes) Bradford

Mary Lou (Mertes) Bradford, 80, of Palmer, died March 12, 2013 peacefully at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

She was born Aug. 30, 1932, in Knapp, Wisc., to Floyd and Nellie (Stoiber) Mertes.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Eilef Bradford; parents; and father- and mother-in-law, Harold and Lillian Bradford.

Mary Lou attended Liermann and Menomonie high schools. She lived on a farm near Knapp and participated in 4-H Club activities. She married Eilef Bradford on Dec. 18, 1949, in Knapp. She helped her husband establish Brad’s Hi-Way Grocery in 1956 near Knapp, selling gas and merchandise. In the summer, they hosted outdoor movies. In 1968, they moved to North St. Paul, Minn., in 1971 to Anchorage and then in 1984 to Seattle, Wash. Her last residence was at Tranquility Manor Assisted Living home in Palmer, and she was blessed to have great care by the staff while there.

During this time she worked for Northwest Airlines until she retired in 1999 in Palmer. Mary Lou had 27 years of contributions to Northwest Airlines, which included service as warehouser and lead food services employee. She is the only employee to have worked in all three domestic flight kitchens: Minneapolis, Anchorage and Seattle. Her outstanding attitude earned her many commendations, as well as the respect and affection of her coworkers.

She enjoyed gardening and also loved to travel the world with family and friends. Mary Lou was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and Job’s Daughters.

Surviving are daughter, Mary Lee (Adolph) Barton; son, Gene; daughter, Melody Alhawari; son, Ethan (Lori); six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sisters, Avis (Bill) Marsh and Sylvia Kuester; sister-in-law, Ione Waller; nephews, Brad Waller and Cary Kuester; and nieces, Rene Kuester-Sebranek, and Christyl and Darcie Marsh.

Funeral services in honor of Mary are at 1 p.m., March 22 in Menomonie, Wisc., at Olson’s Funeral Home, 615 Wilson Ave. Viewing is from noon to 1 p.m. A reception will follow the service at the funeral home with burial to follow at the Forest Hill Cemetery, Knapp, Wisc.

Cards may be sent to the family in care of: Mary Barton, 16125 SE 249th Place, Covington, WA 98042.

Kehl’s Palmer Chapel, 209 S. Alaska St., in Palmer cared for the family.