Mary Louise Kaloupek

Mary Louise ‘Mary Lou’ Kaloupek, 87, passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at St. Luke’s Hospital. Funeral Services will be held Friday, May 8, 2026, at 11am at Stonebridge Church, 1829 Stoney Point Rd, Cedar Rapids, IA. Friends may visit the family at the church beginning at 10am. A private burial service will be held at a later date at Haven Cemetery in Chelsea, IA. Teahen Funeral Home is caring for Mary Lou and her family.

Mary Louise Hofer was born January 27, 1939, to Clarence and Dorothy Hofer in Toledo, Iowa. She spent her childhood years on the family farm and graduated from Tama High School in 1957. On September 1, 1957, she married John ‘Jack’ Kaloupek. The couple lived in Toledo and Augusta GA before moving to Newton IA in 1962.

While raising four children, both Jack and Mary Lou began attending Drake University, where Mary Lou graduated cum laude in 1976 with bachelors in Elementary Education. Mary Lou then began her 20-year career as an elementary school teacher in Colfax IA, Oxford, IA, Lone Tree IA and finally Dubuque IA where she retired in 1996.

Mary Lou and Jack enjoyed a long, nearly 30-year retirement, living in the mountains of North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, and Florida. Mary Lou loved music and always had a piano and fiddle within reach. She was devoted to her Christian faith, active in her church and was a dedicated disciple and prayer warrior to her friends and family.

Mary Lou moved back to Iowa in 2023 and went home to her Lord and Savior on March 19, 2026, in Cedar Rapids surrounded by her loving family. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jack; parents; two brothers, Larry and Dale; and sister, Doris.

Mary Lou is survived by three daughters: Shelley (Jerry) Ask, of Cedar Rapids IA, Gina (Rex) Ellison, of College Grove TN, Natalie (Jerome) Jurenovich, of Milton GA; one son: Drew (Stephanie) Kaloupek, of St. Johns FL; 13 grandchildren: Emily, Hayley, Joe, Jordan, Garrett, Tyler, Nick, Ben, Tim, Braden, Breck, Milena, Delaney; 16 great-grandchildren; brother David Hofer of Kerrville TX; sister-in-law Dolly Hofer of Medford OR, and sister-in-law Marrina Kaloupek of Grinnell IA.

In lieu of donations, the family encourages you to start a prayer list or contact an old friend in the spirit of Mary Lou's special brand of generosity and commitment.

Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.