Mary Louise “Mary Lou” Hutton, 83, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2024, surrounded by family at University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa.

Mary Lou was born on February 25, 1941, in Monticello, Iowa, the daughter of Jerome McClain and Celestine “Sally” McClain Kirk.

Growing up on her beloved “Lincoln Avenue” in Dubuque, Iowa, she graduated from Immaculate Conception Academy in 1959. Mary Lou started her career at Xavier Hospital in Dubuque and worked there until it merged with Mercy Hospital in 1981, where she then remained until her retirement in 2008.

On January 27, 1962, Mary Lou married the love and laughter of her life, Sherman “Skip” Hutton III. Together, they were blessed with four children.

Besides spending time with her loved ones, Mary Lou had a passion and talent for creativity. She spent her free time making beautiful crafts, sewing, quilting, crocheting, and painting, all of which led her to being a vendor for several years at Dubuque’s Ice Harbor Emporium, as well as helping create the sets for the Xavier/Mercy Follies for several years. She hit the craft-show circuit around the Tri-State area for many years, where people looked forward to having a “Mary Lou Original.” She loved gifting family and friends with her creations, as well as teaching those talents to whomever wanted to learn.

Mary Lou also cherished family gatherings and friend get-togethers filled with euchre, puzzles, bingo, books, board games, and Hallmark movies. Her laughter filled our hearts, and her kindness touched everyone she met. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents Jerome and Sally, her stepfather Melvin “Mike” Kirk, her loving husband Skip, her father- and mother-in-law Sherman Jr. and Lillian Hutton, her brothers-in-law Michael “Mick” Hutton and John “Jack” Burgmeier, and her sisters-in-law Connie Hutton and Patricia “Pat” Burgmeier.

She is survived by her children David (Judy) Hutton, Stephen (Michelle) Hutton, Ann (Kimball) Behning and Sara (Steve) Bye; grandchildren Ryan (Ashley), Alex, Adam (Kelly), Peter, and Joshua Hutton, and Riley and Brady Bye; great-grandchildren William, London, Oliver, Beckett, Adrian, and Charlotte Hutton; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Dr. John Whalen; Resurrection Parish and staff, especially Deacon Jim and Mary Schmidt and Deacon Mike Ellis; and a special thank-you to her neighbors Rick and Sharon Kasper and Mike and Sandy Ellis for always being there when she needed you.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, November 13, at Church of the Resurrection, 4300 Asbury Road, in Dubuque, with Fr. Phil Gibbs officiating. Burial will be in the East Dubuque Cemetery, Hill Street, East Dubuque.

Family and friends may call on Tuesday, November 12, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, at Miller Funeral Home, 1185 IL-35, East Dubuque, and also on Wednesday, November 13, from 9:00 to 10:15 AM before the service at the church.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com©