Mary Louise Fandel Clote

Mary Louise Fandel Clote Received by our Lord on 5/21/2018. Mary Lou was 95 years young. Raised in St. Cloud, MN, the middle of 14 children of Irene Margret Dietz and Victor Carl Fandel. Mary Lou grew up working after school as a hat and glove girl at Fandel's department store, one of the oldest family businesses in St. Cloud. She attended St. Benedict's College in Collegeville, Minnesota for 2 yrs and won her father's permission to continue her education proudly majoring in Journalism at Marquette University. She surrounded herself with music throughout her life and music kept her connected to cultural humanity. During her young single years she used her beautiful voice for local radio advertising at KTUL, including singing the Oxydol jingle. On her way to a job in California she stopped in Tulsa to see her sisters Kay and Posy and there she met Thomas Anthony Clote. They fell in love and were married for 54 years until his death in 2002. They raised their family in Tulsa, Denver, Midland, and Oklahoma City, passing along their strong values of faith and family, always delivered in a gentle, nurturing way. Her creativity showed in her work as a homemaker, realtor and interior decorator, and while hosting friends and social groups. Mary Lou stayed active in her community, engaging people of all ages with respect and genuine curiosity. She was an active member in St. Eugene's parish until her death, and volunteered in the Altar Society, St. Elizabeth and Rose Guilds and Mobile Meals. Throughout her married life she was an active member of Geologists' Wives and their Gourmet Club as well as her Sunday Brunch Group. Mary Lou is survived by one sister, Carol Francis of Maryland, six children; Carron Clote (Joe McKenna), Thomas A. Clote, Jr. (Sallie), Paula Millstein (Steve), Nan Mlady (Murray), Catherine Clote Driskill (widow of Kevin) , and Amy Brown (John); twelve grandchildren, Thomas Ishmael (Michelle), Alex Clote, Phillip, Jonathan, and Madeline Millstein, Andrew and Michael Mlady, John and David Driskill, and Marnie, Ellis, and Evan Brown, and two great-grandchildren; Henry and Gretchen Ishmael and countless nieces, nephews and friends of all age groups who adored her. A celebration of Mary Lou's vibrant life will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, May 29th at St. Eugene's Catholic Church.